Prince Sanyang Pulls Out Of IEC Nomination Over Missing Voter Registration Record

Prince Ebrahim Sanyang, an independent presidential aspirant, has declined to submit his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) after the commission failed to trace his voter registration record.

Sanyang was scheduled to appear before the IEC  yesterday, 11th November, at 2:30pm to submit his nomination documents ahead of the 5th December  presidential election. However, he did not show up.

In a letter dated 11th November and addressed to IEC Chairman Joseph Colley, Sanyang’s lawyers, Sheriff Kumba & Co, notified the commission of their client’s decision not to proceed with the nomination process.

The lawyers said the decision followed the commission’s failure to trace or restore Sanyang’s voter registration record and replace his voter’s card.

According to the letter, the legal team had written to the IEC on 10th November, requesting verification and restoration of their client’s voter registration record. The request followed the commission’s inability to trace his registration details in its database at both its Brikama Regional Office and headquarters.

“At the time of writing, the matter remains unresolved and our client’s voter registration record has not been traced or restored,” the lawyers stated.

They said Sanyang considered that submitting his nomination papers while his voter registration status remained unresolved could expose his candidacy to an avoidable legal challenge.

The lawyers stressed that the decision was taken solely because of the unresolved voter registration issue and should not be interpreted as a withdrawal or abandonment of his political rights.

“Our client’s decision is taken solely by reason of the inability to trace his voter registration record. It does not constitute a waiver or abandonment of any of his rights, all of which are expressly reserved,” the letter stated.

Sheriff Kumba & Co urged the IEC to investigate the matter, restore Sanyang’s voter registration record and communicate its findings to them in writing.

However, IEC Chairman Joseph Colley said Mr Sanyang registered in 2016 and that year is no longer in the database. He said what they have in the database starts from year 2021 to 2026.