By Buba Gagigo
The Secretary-General and Party Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Lawyer Ousainu Darboe, has urged President Adama Barrow to appoint an impartial head for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in The Gambia.
In a letter addressed to President Barrow, Darboe emphasized the need for credible electoral processes that inspire public confidence and promote political stability.
“Please allow me, Secretary General, to state unequivocally, that every well-meaning Gambian and our friends would like to see peaceful and eventless elections conducted in our country as the occasion arises. Our elections should be characterized by lively and boisterous campaigns in which we treat each other as brothers and sisters vying for the same positions and at the end of which the unsuccessful can unreservedly congratulate the winners as the choice of the electorates. This would require free, fair, and transparent elections conducted by an impartial independent electoral commission and putting the integrity of the elections beyond reproach,” Darboe stated.
He further stressed that Gambians expect a functional, trusted, and independent electoral body that maintains neutrality in its dealings with all political actors.
“This is possible, and I urge you, as well as the heads of the other political parties, the Inter-party Committee, and all other political actors in the country to work conscientiously toward the attainment of this objective. Your Excellency, you will soon be called upon to appoint the next head of the Independent Electoral Commission. I entreat you to seize the opportunity and appoint a consensual official, whose integrity, impartiality, and independence are unassailable. It goes without saying that we need strong institutions, but those institutions cannot defend themselves and therefore we need strong, independent, honest, and level-headed men and women to lead and run those institutions. You have the opportunity to cement your place in history,” he added.
President Adama Barrow had earlier congratulated the UDP on retaining the Masembeh Ward councilorship seat in the recently concluded by-election in Kiang. In response, Darboe expressed gratitude for the president’s message, acknowledging its tone and content as reflective of democratic values.
“On behalf of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and on my own behalf, I hereby acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 23 February 2025 congratulating me and my party on our victory in the Masembeh Ward by-election, held on 22 February 2025. I would like to express my appreciation of the content and tone of the letter, which are consistent with the age-old stance of the United Democratic Party. Indeed, from its inception in 1996 to date, the UDP has been a relentless advocate for the rule of law, political pluralism, and mutual respect between political rivals as well as an unflinching proponent of free, fair, and transparent elections. These are the underpinnings of a thriving and vibrant democracy,” he said.
He reiterated the UDP’s commitment to entrenching these democratic principles in the country’s political discourse and governance framework.
“We have fought to ensure that those values are not only enshrined in the Constitution and laws of the country but are also respected and adhered to in practice. As a former member of the National Executive Committee of the United Democratic Party, Your Excellency was a front-row witness of those epic struggles of our party. I congratulate you for highlighting in your aforementioned letter, those same principles that we hold so dear,” he said.
Darboe encouraged President Barrow, in his dual capacity as NPP Party Leader and Head of State, to uphold democratic principles by ensuring that appointments to the IEC are conducted transparently and in strict adherence to the country’s electoral laws.
Concluding his letter, Darboe extended well wishes to President Barrow and his party.
“Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our sincere appreciation of the appeasing content and tone of your congratulatory letter,” he concluded.
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