Democracy News

Gambia's Jammeh Wins Presidential Election; ECOWAS Declares Unfair
November 25, 2011
By: Mark Hsen | Printer Friendly

On November 25, incumbent Yahya Jammeh was announced the winner of the November 24 presidential election.  Voice of America reports that Jammeh won 72 percent of the vote while main opposition candidate, Ousainou Darboe of the United Democratic Party, received 17 percent.  Hamat Bah, who is backed by a coalition of 4 opposition parties, only received 10 percent.

ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, has denounced the elections stating that Gambia does not have a political environment conducive for free and fair elections.  ECOWAS cited this as the main reason they did not send an observer mission to monitor the vote, as reported by BBC News.  It believed that the results could not be considered fair, citing alleged intimidation of voters and the ruling party's control over the media.

According to BBC News, Mustapha Carayol, chairman of the independent Electoral Commission, has called these allegations "lies."  Rejecting the criticism, Carayol stated that each party campaigned freely with no intimidation.  The African Union's observer mission agreed with this position and did not report any significant problems with the organization of the election or the conduct of voters.

While supporters state that Jammeh has improved infrastructure, education and healthcare, critics point out that Gambia is still deeply mired in poverty.  Critics also accuse the president of stifling political dissent and press freedoms through torture and killings.  Jammeh seized power in a 1994 coup, and has won 3 widely criticized elections since then.

For previous news on Gambia, please see:
Gambia Coup Plotters Sentenced To Death

Sources:
BBC News – Gambia: Ecowas observers boycott 'unfair poll'

Voice of America – Gambian President Wins Re-Election

Voice of America – African Union Observers Impressed with Gambia Election