In a joint statement, the two organisations said their findings, backed by domestic observation and third-party accounts, indicate that the decision to withdraw the Alkalo’s stamp was influenced by political affiliation rather than proven misuse.
According to them, aside from claims that the Alkalo entrusted the stamp to his son, no concrete evidence has been provided by authorities to justify allegations of abuse or improper use of the stamp.
They noted that it is common practice in many communities across The Gambia for Alkalolu and Seyfolu to entrust their official stamps to trusted relatives due to factors such as age, literacy challenges or disability. They also stressed that chiefs and their families have the constitutional right to support political parties of their choice.
The statement referenced a government announcement that the stamp was taken into custody following alleged misuse, but pointed out that the explanation did not clearly state the nature of the abuse.
The groups warned that the seizure of the stamp has serious implications for voter registration in Nyagen village, where attestation by an Alkalo remains a key legal requirement for citizens without formal identification documents.
They argued that removing the stamp effectively blocks many residents from registering, particularly given the limited timeframe of the voter registration exercise. In Nyagen, one of the nearest registration centres, Kataba Alhagie Omar, is only open for three days.
Failure to register, they said, could prevent affected citizens from voting in the 2026 presidential election, the 2027 parliamentary and local government elections, and other future electoral processes.
The organisations described the action as unjustified and potentially unlawful, warning that it could amount to voter suppression and a violation of constitutional rights, including the right to vote and be registered.
They further noted that the government has not provided any legal basis to show that attestation documents were issued to ineligible persons or entrusting the stamp to a relative is illegal.
They emphasized that any concerns about voter eligibility should be addressed through the revising courts, which are the legally designated bodies to handle such disputes after the voter list is published.
Among their recommendations, the groups called for the immediate return of the Alkalo’s stamp to restore access to voter registration. They also urged that disputes be resolved through proper legal channels, and renewed calls for reforms to remove the attestation requirement from the Elections Act.
Additionally, they recommended making national identity documents more accessible and affordable, while urging the electoral commission to consider extending registration days in the affected area once the situation is resolved.
They concluded that the right to vote must be protected at all times and warned against the misuse of state authority in ways that undermine democratic participation, particularly in rural communities.
