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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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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President’s UNGA Claim ‘no political prisoner since 2017’ is misleading

Claim: No political prisoner, journalist and human rights defender had been jailed since 2017 Source: President Adama Barrow Verdict: Misleading Gambian President Adama Barrow claimed at the 79th UN General Assembly that there had been no jailing of political prisoners, including human rights defenders and journalists, in the country since 2017. However, Malagen's media monitoring and fact-checking verified this claim as misleading. The president made the claim during his UNGA speech delivered on Thursday, September 26 2024 held at the New York headquarters in New York, United States. On page 9 of the statement, he made the following assertions:  "I am happy to...

September 27, 2024Factchecking, 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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Dangerous speech alert: Barrow tells NPP supporters to stand firm, and fight back

The Gambian President Adama Barrow has called on his National People's Party (NPP) supporters to stand firm and fight anyone who insulted them.  The president’s remarks were captured in a viral audio circulating on WhatsApp. The recording was made during the launch of NPP’s newly constructed political bureau in Badibu Kerewan, North Bank Region on Wednesday May 22, 2024.  On May 9th, State House announced that President Barrow will embark on outside office activities to tour industrial areas and inaugurate rural health centres starting May 10 and returning on May 23. Such activities have already taken place as planned.  Photo credit: State House...

May 25, 2024Factchecking, Media Monitoring
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FAKE! NAWEC has no free 70kWh units for customers in celebration of Christmas 

Source: Social media Verdict: Fake A short-composed message went viral on Tuesday on social media, especially in WhatsApp groups, indicating that the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) is offering 70kWh free units to all its customers. Claim:  The viral message claims:  “NAWEC is offering 70 kWh free units to all customers to celebrate Christmas and the new year. Click CONTINUE below to verify your meter number and get the offer. Merry Christmas from NAWEC! Kindly validate your NAWEC Meter Number to proceed to the next step. Note! The offer is for all customers.” FactCheck A verification of the URL link accompanying the information has shown...

December 12, 2023Factchecking
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