Explainer: Why Is the IEC Holding a By-Election in Banjul Half-Die Ward?

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of The Gambia is holding a by-election in Banjul’s Half-Die Ward following the unexpected vacancy of the councillor position. The seat became vacant after Momodou Bah, the former councillor under the National People's Party (NPP), reportedly abandoned his post during an official visit to Belgium. The trip was part of efforts to strengthen the sister-city partnership between Banjul City Council and Ostend City Council. Bah’s prolonged absence, without any formal excuse or return to duty, prompted the IEC to invoke Section 23 of the Local Government Act and declare the seat vacant. A by-election has now...

April 9, 2025Explainers, Factchecking
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Explainer: How the IEC Chairman Is Appointed in The Gambia

What Is the IEC and Why Does It Matter? The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is a critical constitutional body in The Gambia, entrusted with the responsibility of conducting national elections, referenda, and ensuring the overall integrity of the electoral process. Its role is vital to the country’s democracy, as it ensures that elections are free, fair, and transparent. The IEC helps safeguard the democratic rights of Gambians by overseeing the entire election process—from voter registration to certifying election results. Thus, the role of the IEC Chairman is of paramount importance in maintaining electoral credibility and public trust. What Does the Constitution Say? According to...

April 8, 2025Explainers, Factchecking
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The special tribunal explained as Jammeh’s victims move closer to justice

By Kaddy Jawo The regional leadership of ECOWAS has approved a special tribunal, bringing hope for justice to more than 200 individuals confirmed to have been murdered by the repressive regime of Yahya Jammeh. In addition to extrajudicial killings, the regime systematically tortured critics and subjected dozens of women to rape and other forms of sexual violence. Since Jammeh's fall in December 2016, he has been in exile in Equatorial Guinea. Meanwhile, the succeeding administration and human rights defenders worldwide continue to work tirelessly to hold him accountable. Despite frustrations and scepticism about whether justice will ever be served, the approval of the...

December 25, 2024Feature, Indepth Reporting, Investigations, News in Graphs
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Factsheet: Why every Gambian child needs polio vaccination

By Kaddy Jawo The Gambia government has wrapped up round one of the nationwide polio vaccination in the country. It happened between the 12th and 15th of November while the second phase is expected to take place next month – the 12th to 15th of December. But here are more facts about polio as a public health emergency that make it imperative for every child in the Gambia to get vaccinated to prevent contracting the consequential ailments.  But first, what’s polio?  According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease primarily affecting children under 5. It...

November 21, 2024Current Affairs, Factchecking, Featured
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Breaking Down the Audit Report: How IEC Potentially Misappropriated over 368m Dalasi

By Kaddy Jawo The recently published National Audit report, covering the period from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023, found that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) may have misappropriated public funds totalling three hundred sixty-eight million, thirty-five thousand, eight hundred ninety-three dalasis and sixty-one bututs (368,035,893.61). The financial irregularities detected in the audit include a failure to remit collected revenue to the consolidated revenue fund, missing receipts that were not accounted for, overpayments on contracts, payments made to the personal accounts of staff, suspected diversion of public funds for personal use, suspected fraudulent payments of allowances, and unretired funds. These...

October 29, 2024Analysis, Feature, Media Monitoring, Uncategorized
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Factcheck: Dr Ceesay Falsely Suggests ‘Sadam Rice’ is Cheaper in Basse than on Kairaba Avenue and environs

Kaddy Jawo Claim: Saddam rice is cheaper in Basse than on Kairaba Avenue. Source: Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay Verdict: False Appearing on the State of the Nation radio programme aired on GRTS Radio on September 5th, 2024, the Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, suggested that the price of a bag of ‘Sadam’ rice is cheaper in the provincial town of Basse than in the Kairaba Avenue area, which is located within the Kanifing Municipality. Credit: From Africa Press Net site Ceesay, alongside Trade and Employment Minister Baboucarr Joof, were discussing various issues affecting the cost of living in The Gambia amid public...

September 18, 2024Election Hub, Factchecking, Media Monitoring
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Factsheet: Performance of Gambian Students in WASSCE 2024

By Kaddy Jawo The West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results have been released with more than 18,000 Gambian registered students took the regional standard test to conclude their secondary education level. In this factsheet, we analyse the public data provided by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) following the release of the results in August. Number of students registered for WASSCE According to the Ministry, 18,042 Gambian Grade 12 students were registered to take the exam. The number is representative of 148 senior secondary schools across the country, administered by West Africa Examination Council. WASSCE credential is a requirement for...

September 12, 2024Analysis, Factchecking, Media Monitoring, News in Graphs
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Factsheet: All You Need to Know as Michael Sang Correa’s Trial Begins Next Month in the US

Come September, Michael Sang Correa, one of the most prominent members of the former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh’s special assassin team ‘jungulars’ is set to appear before the US court in Colorado. Correa, now 45, was indicted by the US Justice Department on seven counts for his role in inflicting torture and suffering on victims, especially following the 2006 alleged coup attempt to remove Jammeh from power. He has also been accused of having participated in the extrajudicial killings of journalists Dayda Hydara in 2004, Chief Ebrima Manneh in 2012, and the murder of Gambian-Americans Alhagie Mamut Ceesay and Ebou Jobe in...

August 22, 2024Election Hub, Factchecking, Media Monitoring, Uncategorized
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