Maimuna Ceesay, a nominated National Assembly Member, has been flagged for rhetoric framing electoral allegations along ethnic and cross-border lines ahead of The Gambia’s presidential election.

Hon. Ceesay alleged that the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) is registering foreigners to vote in the upcoming presidential election. She made the remarks during the inauguration of the Kiang West road by President Adama Barrow in the Lower River Region.

The video, which lasted three minutes, was broadcast on Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS).

What Was Said

At approximately 2 minutes and 18 seconds into the video, speaking in Mandinka and translated by Malagen Media Monitoring, Hon. Ceesay claimed that individuals from Casamance (Senegal) and Guinea-Bissau were being registered to vote. She further alleged that UDP party members were using all of their five fingers as thumb print to facilitate the registration of individuals .

She also stated:

“Mandinkaya is not about destroying oneself; it is about fighting and standing up for one another.”

Context

The remarks were made during an election year, a period typically marked by heightened political sensitivity and public scrutiny.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is the constitutionally mandated body responsible for voter registration and the conduct of elections. Allegations of foreign voter registration, if substantiated, would amount to electoral fraud and carry serious legal consequences.

The Gambia shares longstanding ethnic, cultural and familial ties with communities in Casamance and Guinea-Bissau. Cross-border kinship networks predate colonial boundaries, making references to “foreigners” in these regions socially and politically delicate.

The term “Mandinkaya” refers to Mandinka identity and solidarity. While expressions of cultural pride are not inherently harmful, linking ethnic identity to political mobilisation in a competitive electoral environment can heighten perceptions of tribal alignment in national politics.

Why This Matters

Allegations of voter fraud made during an election year can significantly influence public confidence in the democratic process. When such claims are advanced by a sitting National Assembly Member,  particularly a nominated member expected to represent national rather than partisan interests, they carry institutional weight and authority. Public officials occupy influential platforms, and their statements can shape political narratives beyond party lines.

Claims that foreigners are being registered to vote, when presented without publicly available evidence, risk undermining trust in electoral institutions. 

Electoral grievances in a democracy are ordinarily expected to be substantiated and addressed through formal channels, including engagement with the IEC and, where necessary, the courts.

Electoral grievances in a democracy are ordinarily expected to be substantiated and addressed through formal channels, including engagement with the IEC and, where necessary, the courts.

Referencing specific neighbouring regions may also shift political debate toward questions of identity and belonging. In a society where ethnic groups maintain strong cross-border ties, framing elections around alleged “foreign” participation can unintentionally stigmatize communities with familial links across Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.

The invocation of “Mandinkaya” in the same speech introduces an additional layer of sensitivity. When language emphasizing ethnic solidarity appears alongside claims of electoral manipulation, it may be interpreted as encouraging collective ethnic mobilisation in response to perceived political threats. In polarized contexts, such framing can deepen divisions and reinforce “us versus them” narratives.

Hon. Ceesay’s remarks allege organized foreign voter registration involving individuals from Casamance and Guinea-Bissau. If substantiated, such claims would amount to serious electoral fraud and potential foreign interference.

However, no publicly available evidence has been presented to support these allegations. The IEC has not announced findings confirming systematic registration of foreign nationals. 

Allegations of foreign interference have surfaced in previous electoral cycles. Following the 2021 presidential election, the United Democratic Party (UDP) filed a petition before the Supreme Court raising concerns that included issues related to voter registration and foreign participation. The petition was ultimately dismissed on the basis that the evidence presented was insufficient to overturn the election results.

This background underscores the sensitivity of claims relating to foreign voter participation. At present, the statements made by Hon. Ceesay remain unverified allegations.

Conclusion

Political speech during election periods demands heightened responsibility, particularly from public officials entrusted with national representation.

While raising concerns about electoral integrity is a legitimate democratic act, such concerns must be supported by credible evidence and pursued through institutional mechanisms. Framing electoral competition through ethnic identity — especially when combined with unverified claims of foreign interference — risks inflaming tensions in a multi-ethnic society.

Malagen will continue to monitor, verify and assess developments related to these remarks in the public interest.