Gambian opposition candidates have rejected the preliminary results of Saturday’s historic vote in the West African nation that suggest the incumbent president, Adama Barrow, had easily won re-election.
Darboe and two other opposition candidates – Mama Kandeh of the Gambia Democratic Congress, and the independent candidate Essa Faal – told reporters on Sunday evening they were concerned with the “inordinate delay” in the announcement of final results.
They also said their agents and representatives had raised “a number of issues” at polling stations and had not endorsed some results.
Almamy Taal, a UDP spokesman, said the party was investigating the registered number of voters in areas including the Upper River Region, where it was working with the chairman of the Basse area council.
He claimed irregularities were discovered in some areas “in terms of the registered number of voters and the high voter turnout.” Based on their findings, they will decide whether or not to go to the courts.
Addressing the crowd, Darboe encouraged supporters to remain peaceful and promised to pursue legal options to challenge the results, before breaking into song along with his supporters.
Darboe, who was once Barrow’s mentor, ran against Jammeh in three previous elections but was arrested in 2016 and prevented from contesting. Barrow, who had not previously held office, stood in Darboe’s place and later appointed him to his cabinet, only to form a breakaway party in 2019.
