Since Talib Bensouda, Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, broke away from the United Democratic Party (UDP), many Gambians have linked his new platform, the Unite Movement for Change (UMC), to a political party.

On social media, Malagen observed several users expressing support for UMC as a political party, with some even claiming they would “vote for UMC” if elections were held today.

These assumptions have created the widespread belief that UMC is already registered with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

But what do the records actually show?

A review of the IEC’s official list of political parties shows that the Unite Movement for Change is not registered as a political party in The Gambia.

As of today, the IEC officially recognizes 20 registered political parties as listed below: :

1. Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD)
2. Alliance for National Reorientation and Development (ANRD)
3. Alliance for Patriotic Progress (APP)
4. Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC)
5. Citizens’ Alliance (CA)
6. Democratic Party (DP)
7. Gambia Action Party (GAP)
8. Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC)
9. Gambia Freedom Alliance (GFA)
10. Gambia National Unity Party (GANU)
11. Gambian Moral Congress (GMC)
12. Gambian People’s Democratic Party (GPDP)
13. National Convention Party (NCP)
14. National People’s Party (NPP)
15. National Reconciliation Party (NRP)
16. National Unity Party (NUP)
17. People’s Action Party (PAP)
18. People’s Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS)
19. People’s Progressive Party (PPP)
20. United Democratic Party (UDP)

UMC does not appear on the list because it has not either completed the legal registration process or has not yet sought registration as required for political parties in The Gambia wishing to contest in public elections.

What It Takes to Register a Political Party in The Gambia

According to IEC guidelines, a political party must:

• Pay a D1,000,000 registration fee upon application
• Present at least 1,000 voters from each of the seven administrative regions
• Submit a party constitution, including name, emblem, colour, motto or symbol, among others.

None of these requirements have been completed or undertaken yet by UMC at this time.

What This Means Going Forward

For now, the Unite Movement for Change exists as a movement, not a registered political party. It cannot field candidates, appear on a ballot, or participate in elections under its current status .

However, with the 2026 presidential election approaching, UMC may still decide to transform into a political party. If that is to happen, it will need to officially register with the IEC before it can contest.

Until then, UMC remains a political platform, not a legally recognized political party — despite growing public assumptions on social media.