UDP demands clarity over voter registration figures
The UDP deployed agents nationwide during the registration exercise and later analysed data collected alongside figures released by the IEC. While the IEC announced that 212,095 Gambians registered, the dataset provided to political parties initially showed only 179,445 voters — a differential of 32,650. Following protests, the IEC admitted that registrations from 8 April had been omitted, updating the list to 183,163. However, Darboe noted that this still leaves a discrepancy of 28,932 voters. The IEC explained that 14,334 multiple registrations should be deducted, but according to UDP analysis, this still leaves 14,598 voters unaccounted for. “On 16 July, the UDP formally wrote to the IEC requesting the total registration data before deletions, the number of duplicates removed, the final register after adjudication, and the complete datasets before and after reconciliation.” Darboe emphasised that the UDP is not alleging fraud or wrongdoing, but simply seeking clarity. “Let me be absolutely clear. The UDP is not alleging fraud. We are asking for a full reconciliation of the figures so that all political parties and the Gambian people can have confidence that the electoral register accurately reflects the outcome of the registration exercise.” The party also requested an extension of the scrutiny period to allow political parties and the public sufficient time to examine the complete register once published. Earlier today, UDP representatives met with the IEC, with Darboe confirming that the party’s technical team will brief stakeholders on the outcome. Darboe reiterated the UDP’s commitment to peaceful democratic participation and constructive engagement with the IEC and all stakeholders, saying: “This is not about politics. It is about protecting the confidence of every Gambian voter in our democratic process. Our objective is not confrontation. Our objective is confidence‑building.” The press conference highlighted the UDP’s insistence on transparency as a cornerstone of electoral integrity, with Darboe positioning the party’s demands as a defence of democracy rather than partisan contestation. As the 2026 presidential race approaches, the call for clarity in voter registration data underscores the critical importance of public trust in the electoral process.
Black News 
The UDP deployed agents nationwide during the registration exercise and later analysed data collected alongside figures released by the IEC. While the IEC announced that 212,095 Gambians registered, the dataset provided to political parties initially showed only 179,445 voters — a differential of 32,650. Following protests, the IEC admitted that registrations from 8 April had been omitted, updating the list to 183,163. However, Darboe noted that this still leaves a discrepancy of 28,932 voters.
The IEC explained that 14,334 multiple registrations should be deducted, but according to UDP analysis, this still leaves 14,598 voters unaccounted for. “On 16 July, the UDP formally wrote to the IEC requesting the total registration data before deletions, the number of duplicates removed, the final register after adjudication, and the complete datasets before and after reconciliation.”
Darboe emphasised that the UDP is not alleging fraud or wrongdoing, but simply seeking clarity. “Let me be absolutely clear. The UDP is not alleging fraud. We are asking for a full reconciliation of the figures so that all political parties and the Gambian people can have confidence that the electoral register accurately reflects the outcome of the registration exercise.”
The party also requested an extension of the scrutiny period to allow political parties and the public sufficient time to examine the complete register once published. Earlier today, UDP representatives met with the IEC, with Darboe confirming that the party’s technical team will brief stakeholders on the outcome.
Darboe reiterated the UDP’s commitment to peaceful democratic participation and constructive engagement with the IEC and all stakeholders, saying: “This is not about politics. It is about protecting the confidence of every Gambian voter in our democratic process. Our objective is not confrontation. Our objective is confidence‑building.”
The press conference highlighted the UDP’s insistence on transparency as a cornerstone of electoral integrity, with Darboe positioning the party’s demands as a defence of democracy rather than partisan contestation.
As the 2026 presidential race approaches, the call for clarity in voter registration data underscores the critical importance of public trust in the electoral process.
