NA election slated for April 6, campaign commences March 15

Alieu Momarr Njai, chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), has disclosed that the National Assembly Election is set for Thursday 6 April 2017.

The date for the National Assembly Elections was announced yesterday at a press conference held at the Election House, Bertil Harding Highway.

‘’In exercise of its mandate under section 40 of the Elections Act, the Independent Electoral Commission wishes to inform the general public that the National Assembly Elections of the Republic of The Gambia shall take place on Thursday 6 April 2017,” the IEC chair announced.

Mr Njai said the IEC is ready to conduct the elections in a free and fair environment as enshrined in The Gambia’s constitution.

“We are once again poised to embark on another very important activity on The Gambia’s electoral calendar, the National Assembly Elections, in pursuance to section 96 of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia,’’ he said

The IEC chairman further stated that the nomination of candidates will take place from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 March 2017 between 8am and 4pm at the IEC Regional offices in Banjul, Kanifing, Brikama, Mansakonko, Kerewan, Janjanbureh and Basse. Candidates are to deposit D50,000 with valid tax clearance to be eligible for nomination.

Campaign will commence on 15 March and end on 4 April 2017.

Alieu Momarr Njai commended the various stakeholders for the pivotal role they played in the presidential election of 2016, and enjoined them to do even better in order to improve on the process for the National Assembly Elections.

The following will serve as Returning Officers: Isatou Jallow Ndure -Banjul Administrative Area, Lamin Cham - Kanifing Administrative Area, Essa Baldeh - Kerewan Administrative Area, Sulayman Joof - Mansakonko Administrative Area, Anthony Robert Secka - Janjanbureh Administrative Area and Pa Makan Khan - Basse Administrative Area.