Gambia, officially known as the Republic of The Gambia, is a country located in West Africa. It operates as a presidential republic. Here is some information about the election system in The Gambia:
- Presidential Elections: The President of The Gambia is the head of state and is elected directly by the people through a simple majority system. Presidential elections occur every five years. If no candidate receives an absolute majority in the first round, a second round is held between the two candidates who received the highest number of votes.
- National Assembly Elections: The National Assembly of The Gambia is the legislative body of the country. Members of the National Assembly, known as National Assembly Members (NAMs), are elected through a first-past-the-post system in single-member constituencies. The number of seats in the National Assembly is determined by the population of each constituency.
- Independent Electoral Commission: The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is responsible for organizing and conducting elections in The Gambia. It oversees voter registration, candidate nominations, the voting process, and the counting of votes. The IEC aims to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility in the electoral process.
- Political Parties: The Gambia has a multi-party system, with several political parties participating in elections. The major political parties in The Gambia include the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), the United Democratic Party (UDP), the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), among others.
- Voter Eligibility: Gambian citizens who are at least 18 years old have the right to vote in presidential and parliamentary elections. Voter registration is required, and citizens must be included in the electoral roll to participate. Eligible voters can cast their ballots at designated polling stations within their respective constituencies.
The Gambia has undergone a democratic transition in recent years, following decades of authoritarian rule. Efforts have been made to strengthen democratic institutions and promote free and fair elections.
