Of these, 65 were mobile observers and 346 deployed as stationary observers to polling stations. Gambia Participates’ observers were in every corner of the country from the remotest rural areas to the urban cities, observing and reporting on the process
Gambia Participates preliminary parliamentary Election report stated that as predicted, voter turnout in the election was lower (50%) compared to the presidential elections which was (89%). However, inadequate voter education was also identified as a potential problem.
Speaking at the press conference shortly after the elections, the executive director of GP, Marr Nyang, stated that conducting elections during major events such as the religious observances of Ramadan and Lent also impacted voter turnout in the elections.
Mr. Nyang noted that Gambia Participates is also concerned that the number of elected women parliamentarians will remain the same in the 6th as in the 5th National Assembly, meaning that The Gambia has not progressed in increasing women’s representation in elective positions since the 2017 transition.
Gambia Participates urges the new National Assembly to re-introduce and pass the Women’s Reservation Bill 2021 to guarantee the inclusion of more women and persons with disabilities in the legislature.
GP notes that the IEC should consider adjusting its election calendar to ensure no election or major election activities are conducted during such events in order to encourage voter participation.
"The Gambia has not progressed in increasing women’s representation in elective positions since the 2017 transition. Gambia Participates urges the new National Assembly to re-introduce and pass the Women’s Reservation Bill 2021 to guarantee the inclusion of more women and persons with disabilities in our legislature.”
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