Gambia
- System of government
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 Dominant-party presidential republic
System of government-References:
- Total population
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 1,882,450
Total population-References:
- Total area (in square kilo meters)
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 10,689 km2
Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:
- Number of registered voters
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 796,929
Number of registered voters-References:
- Number of registered political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Number of polling stations
- Last Updated : 2016-12-02 886, 578 voters at 1,422 polling stations in 53 constituencies in the seven administrative regions of the country (
2016)
Number of polling stations-References:
- Average number of voters per polling station
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting age
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 18
Voting age-References:
- Elected Offices
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Election system
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 Plurality (FPTP)
Election system-References:
- Terms of office
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 The President is elected by plurality vote to serve a 5-year term.
In the National Assembly, 48 members are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies to serve 5-year terms and 5 members are appointed by the president to serve 5-year terms
Terms of office-References:
- Election
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 Gambian parliamentary election, 2012
Election-References:
- Date
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 29 March 2012
Date-References:
- Political parties in the elections
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30
Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC)
National Reconciliation Party (NRP)
Political parties in the elections-References:
- Number of elected candidates
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 48 seats in the National Assembly
Number of elected candidates-References:
- Voter turnout
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 39%
Voter turnout-References:
- Number of ballots cast
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 308,489
Number of ballots cast-References:
- Legal framework for elections
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 Part of Constitution - Separate legislation - Decree
Legal framework for elections-References:
- Legal provisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 Constitution, sections 39 (2), 40, 63 (4, 5), 79 (2), 92, 102 (d), 226:
Legal provisions-References:
- Referenda
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 Constitution, sections 79 (2), 226:
Referenda-References:
- People’s Initiatives
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30 N/A
People’s Initiatives-References:
- Recall Votes
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30 Constitution, sections 63 (4, 5), 92:
Recall Votes-References:
- Official name
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 Independent Electoral Commission of Gambia
Official name -References:
- Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 Independent
Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:
- EMB budget source
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 The legislature - Donors - Other
EMB budget source-References:
- EMB expenditure audit
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14
The legislature - Another organ within the national government
Auditor-General or such other auditing firm as the Commission may appoint.?
EMB expenditure audit-References:
- Number of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 1 - 10 members
Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Term of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 For a specified number of years
Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Who appoints members (commissioners)?
- Last Updated : 2016-10-06 Head of State - Head of Government - Other
Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:
- Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30 N/A
Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-References:
- Administrative divisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14
divided into five administrative Regions (until 2007 these were known as "divisions") and one City. also additionally divided into eight Local Government Areas, of which two are the City of Banjul and the Municipality of Kanifing; these two collectively form Greater Banjul, although the latter now extends to parts of Brikama LGA, the former Western Division. The other six LGAs comprise the former five Divisions, although the Central River Division was divided into two LGAs, Janjanbureh LGA in the east and Kuntaur LGA in the west. The Local Government Areas are further subdivided into 43 districts. Of these, Kombo Saint Mary (which shares Brikama as a capital with the Brikama LGA) may have been administratively merged with the Greater Banjul area
Administrative divisions -References:
- Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 For the purpose of the election of Members of the National Assembly, The Gambia shall be divided into single-member constituencies.
Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:
- Criteria for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14
(1) The boundaries of each constituency, district of boundaries and ward shall be such as the Commission may, by Order published in the Gazette, prescribe in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
(2) Where the Commission considers that any changes in the distribution of population, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, do not justify an alteration in the boundaries of constituencies, districts or wards, it shall so report without entering upon a review of the boundaries.
(3) Any alteration of the boundaries of constituencies, districts or wards shall take effect upon the next election following the alteration.
Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:
- Body responsible for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 Electoral Management Body (EMB)
Body responsible for drawing boundaries-References:
- Requirements on the right to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the right to vote revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral Eligibility
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the eligibility revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Requirements for party registration
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 As far as mentioned in the source, the requirement for the political parties is that all executive members of any party to be resident in Gambia. For a candidate, one shall be nominated by not less than 300 voters whose names appear in the register of voters for the constituency for which he/she seeks to be elected. Every nomination shall be subscribed by the candidate who shall make the declaration contained in the relevant Form and by the persons nominating him. In addition, a candidate shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Returning Officer, the sum of 50,000 dalasis. This deposit is refundable under certain conditions determined in the law.
Requirements for party registration-References:
- Candidate nomination
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 independent candidates can compete in both presidential and legislative elections
Candidate nomination-References:
- Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14
- Requirement
AgeCitizenship
Residence
Minimum level of education
Other
Candidate Registration (National Assembly members) -References:
- Candidate registration deposit
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Amount of fee
- Return of fee
- Uncontested Election
- Last Updated : 2016-12-02 N/A
Uncontested Election -References:
- Preparation of the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14
(1) The Commission shall prepare, compile and maintain in accordance with this part a register of voters for each constituency and a register a Gambian registered voters in foreign countries.
(2) A register of voters shall contain the names of persons who are entitled and apply to be registered in a
constituency.
(3) The Commission shall cause each register to be divided into such parts as it may determine and the register
shall contain, though not be limited to, the following:
(a) the complete name of the voter;
(b) the voter’s date and place of birth;
(c) the voter’s usual residence and address at the time of registration;
(d) the voter’s sex;
(e) the voter’s signature and thumbprint;
(f) a column to indicate whether or not a voter has voted
(g) date of registration and voting;
(h) the form of identification used;
and
(i) the district, ward, town, village or such other area in which the voter is resident.
(4) A register of voters shall be kept in such number of copies and at such places as the Commission may direct to
ensure the proper and fair conduct of elections.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the Commission may improve the format, content and
design of the register of voters.
(6) The existing register of voters and voting cards shall, upon the coming into force of this Decree, cease to be
valid and all previous holders of voting cards may register and be issued with voting cards in accordance with the
provisions of this Decree.?
Preparation of the voters list-References:
- Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)
- Last Updated : 2016-10-17 Created by the EMB using its own data collection and/or other sources of data
Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:
- Who is responsible for the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-10-17 Article 43 of the Constitution assigns to the Independent Electoral Commission the responsibility for registering qualified Gambian citizens to participate in public elections. The Elections Act directs the Commission to prepare, compile and maintain a register of voters for each constituency.
Who is responsible for the voters list -References:
- Voters list preparation procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Inspection and objection procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Definition
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Prohibited forms of campaigning
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Who is not permitted to campaign
- Campaign Finance
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Campaign expense limit
- Income and expenditure of campaign expense
- Report, public inspection, and open of income and expenditure
- Investigation on income and expenditure of campaign expense & actions
- Reimbursement of campaign expense
- Presiding officers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① How many of officers in a polling station
② Roles of each officer
③ How we nominate the officers
- Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Polling station location criteria
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting hours
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Is compulsory or voluntary?
② How many ballot papers are distributed to each voter?
- Ballot Paper
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Determination of the order of candidates on ballots
② What has to be included in the ballot paper?
③ Ballot paper design or sample ballot paper
④ Valid and invalid ballot paper
- Voting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Start ofvoting
- Process of voting
- End of voting
- Marking method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Special voting (Absentee / Early / Proxy / Assisted / Postal / etc)
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Who are subjected to do
② Voting procedures
- Counting Location
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 Special counting centres
Counting Location-References:
- Counting period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Vote counting method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Start of counting
- Process of counting
- End of counting
- When are ballots recounted?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 By request
When are ballots recounted?-References:
- Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 Outside the country voting is not permitted
Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?-References:
- Overseas voters list preparation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Where to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting procedure for early voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods used to transport ballot papers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- How is the elected candidate chosen in the case of a tie?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Apportioning of National Assembly seats
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Results Announcement
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Is the announcement of preliminary result required?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Deadline for announcement of final results
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reason for holding a by- or re-election
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- By-election dates
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral process
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:
- Television debates
- Last Updated : 2016-12-02 N/A
Television debates-References:
- Blackout period for release of election survey results
- Last Updated : 2016-12-02 N/A
Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution body
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 Judiciary
Electoral dispute resolution body-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-12-02 A petition complaining of an undue election under the provision of this Decree (hereinafter called an “election petition”) may, within thirty days fromthe date of the declaration of the result of the election be presented to the Court in its civil jurisdiction by any one or more of the following persons: (a)a person who voted or had a right to vote at the election to which the petition relates; (b) a person who claims to have had a right to be returned or electedat such election, or (c) a person who alleges himself to have been a candidate at such election.
Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-12-02 N/A
Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Direct public funding
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14
N/A
Direct public funding-References:
- Private funding of political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- If so, is there limit on the amount a donor can contribute to candidate or political party
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation
- Last Updated : 2016-10-27 Sanctions include fines, prison, and loss of political rights
Regulation, monitoring and investigation-References:
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies
- Last Updated : 2016-12-02 N/A
Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies-References:
- Which electoral processes are using ICTs?
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14
Digital voter registration kits/computers, off-line are used for collecting registration data
fingerprint scans and photos are captured and used during registration
Which electoral processes are using ICTs? -References:
- When it was introduced
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Gender equality
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14
Female Population: 912,374 (2012)· Is the Gambia a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (29 July 1980)
· Has The Gambia ratified CEDAW: Yes (16 April 1993)
· Gender Quota: No
· Female candidates in this election: Yes
· Number of Female Parliamentarians: 4 (following the 2012 elections)
· Human Development Index Position: 175 (2014)
· Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Very High (2014)
Gender equality-References:
- Aids for disabled or handicapped voters
- Last Updated : 2016-11-14 Is The Gambia a signatory to CRPD: No
· Has The Gambia ratified CRPD: Yes, accession (6 July 2015)
· Population with a disability: 271,066 (est.)
Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:
- Voter education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 Continuously
Voter education-References:
- National civic education
- Last Updated : 2016-12-02
N/A
National civic education-References:
- EMB Staff education
- Last Updated : 2016-12-02 N/A
EMB Staff education-References:
- Domestic observation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International observation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Partnerships/MoUs
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International Activities
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Major challenges to elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Measures taken to deal with those Challenges
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03