Press Release
UNITE has lodged an urgent complaint with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), requesting immediate intervention over the government’s decision to hold a presidential road-inauguration ceremony at Abuko Lower Basic School on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at 4pm, the same day and time as UNITE’s planned nomination-day rally at the Buffer Zone.
According to the party, the complaint is lodged under section 89(2) of the Elections Act, 2025, with section 89(3) requiring the Commission to ensure it is “properly addressed without delay.”
Tombong Saidy, a senior official of the party said the announcement by the Ministry of Transport that President Adama Barrow will inaugurate a major road project at Abuko on Saturday, 7th November, raises serious concerns about the Government’s judgment, political sensitivity and commitment to maintaining peace during this critical electoral period.
”What makes this announcement particularly troubling is the timing and location. Saturday, 7th November, is the scheduled nomination day for UNITE. It is also an important day for Coalition 2026, with political activities planned around the same area, Buffer Zone. Yet the Government has chosen this very date to organise a presidential inauguration ceremony in the vicinity of the Coalition’s planned rally ground, Buffer Zone,” Saidy said.
He said since road inaugurations are not emergencies, they can be scheduled to any convenient date. “There is absolutely no compelling reason why this particular ceremony cannot be postponed by a few days”, Saidy said.
He further argued that the presence of supporters of different political formations in the same vicinity, potentially arriving and departing at the same time, creates foreseeable risks of traffic congestion, heightened tensions and possible clashes.
