Most recent local elections were held on 20 May 2023 (area councils and mayors). These elections occur roughly every five years, so the next would be in 2028.
Gambia
Gambia’s politics are characterized by a challenging democratic transition, with the country working to move past decades of authoritarian rule and build stronger democratic institutions. Following the 2016-2017 presidential election, a New Gambia emerged with significant improvements in free expression, credible elections, and personal security under President Adama Barrow, though democratic performance remains mid-range overall. The political landscape is marked by ongoing efforts in constitutional reform, transitional justice, and tackling issues of public accountability, such as alleged corruption and coup attempts, while navigating the complexities of its small state size.
2.76M+
Population
100:99.11
Men-Women Ratio
8.6%
Women Representation
Overview
The Gambia, officially the Republic of The Gambia, gained its independence from British colonial rule on 18 February 1965.
• Political System and Transitions
The country’s 1970 constitution, established under President Sir Dawda Jawara, introduced a multi-party system. This system was suspended by a military coup in 1994. A new constitution, promulgated in 1997, restored a presidential republic with a unicameral legislature.
From 1994 until 2016, President Yahya Jammeh governed the country. In the 2016 election, he was defeated at the ballot box, and power was transferred peacefully in early 2017. Since then, Adama Barrow has served as president.
• Current Governance and Elections
The Gambia is a presidential republic with a directly elected president who serves as both head of state and government. The legislative branch is a 53-member National Assembly, with an additional five nominated seats.
Elections for the president and the National Assembly are held by universal suffrage every five years. Local government elections are held on a separate cycle. The country’s 1997 Constitution provides for multi-party competition and an independent elections body.
A notable feature of the electoral system is its use of marble voting, where each voter drops a marble into a candidate’s drum. This system is designed for transparency and accessibility.
Upcoming Elections
May 20, 2028
Local Government
Scheduled
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April 10, 2027
National Assembly (Legislative)
Scheduled
Last held 9 April 2022; next expected in 2027 (after five years). The 2022 election returned a divided parliament (NPP plurality).
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December 5, 2026
Presidential Elections
Scheduled
Next scheduled in December 2026 (five-year term). Incumbent President Adama Barrow is expected to run for a third term.(The last presidential election was 4 Dec 2021, won by Barrow.)
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Participation Metrics
• Voter Turnout: Generally very high by African standards. In the 2021 presidential election turnout was 859,567 out of 962,157 registered (89.34%). The second-highest on record (2001 was ~89.83%). By contrast, turnout was only ~59% in 2016. The local election of 2023 also saw turnout around 89% in the major cities.
• Registered Voters: There were about 962,157 registered voters in late 2021, up from ~886,000 in 2016. Voter rolls are updated by the IEC between elections.
• Age/Youth: The Gambia has a very young population (median age ~17.8 years). Voters aged 18–35 comprise roughly 57–58% of registered voters (Activista Gambia reports that about 58% of registered voters were aged 18–35, and 70% of the population is under 35.) Youth turnout is often high, partly due to spirited civic mobilization.
• Gender: Women make up about 50.4% of the population and ~57% of registered voters. However, women’s political representation is low. In 2021 none of the six presidential candidates was female, and only about 10% of National Assembly members were women. (The IEC’s voter registration statistics indicate women generally register to vote at rates slightly higher than men.)
• Other Groups: Persons with disabilities, youth, and other groups are targeted for inclusion (e.g. priority at polling stations) but remain under-represented. The 1997 Constitution guarantees equality and calls for inclusion of women, youth and PWDs, though implementation is ongoing.
Key Electoral Institutions
Political parties and the National Assembly
Political parties and the National Assembly are crucial to the functioning of Mauritania’s electoral system, even though they are not direct management bodies. Political parties mobilize citizens, nominate candidates, and monitor elections through agents and observers. The National Assembly contributes by debating and enacting electoral laws, shaping the legal framework within which CENI and other institutions operate. Together, they provide democratic oversight and ensure political pluralism in the electoral environment.
Contact Information
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Constitutional Council
They serve as the highest judicial authority on electoral and constitutional matters in Mauritania. It validates and proclaims final election results, particularly for presidential and parliamentary elections, and confirms the eligibility of presidential candidates. The Council also adjudicates electoral disputes, ensuring that elections comply with the constitution and legal framework. Its rulings are final and binding, giving it a central role in safeguarding the integrity and legitimacy of electoral outcomes.
Contact Information
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Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI)
This is Mauritania’s principal body responsible for organizing and supervising all elections, including presidential, parliamentary, regional, and municipal polls. It operates as an autonomous institution mandated to ensure transparency, neutrality, and fairness in the electoral process. CENI oversees voter registration, monitors campaign conduct, manages the logistics of voting and counting, and announces provisional results. Its members are appointed through political consensus, typically representing both ruling and opposition parties, to reinforce public confidence and political balance.
Contact Information
- Headquarters: Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI) of Mauritania
- Mailing Address: B.P. 4550, Nouakchott, Mauritania
- Hotline: +222 45 24 15 40
- Email: ceni@ceni.mr
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Direction Générale des Élections (DGE)
The DGE is the main new electoral management body in Guinea, created by decree in 2025. It is responsible for organising elections (both elections and referendums), maintaining and managing the electoral register, and guaranteeing aspects of electoral fairness. The DGE also represents Guinea in regional and international electoral organisations.
Contact Information
- Headquarters: Direction Générale des Élections (DGE)
- Mailing Address: Based in Conakry, Commune de Dixinn
- Hotline: +224 628 00 00 00
- Email: contact@dge.gov.gn
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Judiciary (Election Petitions)
The High Court of The Gambia hears election petitions. (Election Petition Rules 1976 govern the process.)
Contact Information
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Electoral Laws & Policies
• The Constitution of The Gambia (1997) – guarantees universal suffrage, voting rights, and outlines electoral framework (e.g. Article 50 onwards on elections). https://www.lawhubgambia.com/1997-constitution ,
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Gambia_2004.pdf?lang=en
• Elections Act (Cap. 3:01) – the primary electoral law for parliamentary elections (originally the 1963 Act, now codified) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a7c2ca18a02c7a46149331c/t/5be96c700e2e721437b1659e/1542024527254/GM1963ElectionAct.pdf .
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a7c2ca18a02c7a46149331c/t/5c9e8fd70d92976c212365f5/1553895396134/Elections+Act_Decree+No+78+of+1996.pdf
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• Campaign Ethics Code (1985) – Election Code on Campaign Ethics (Cap. 3:01) sets rules for campaign behavior (e.g. no hate speech, bribery). https://iec.gm/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Code-of-Conduct-for-Political-Parties.pdf ,
• Election Petition Rules (1976) – procedural rules for contesting election results.
• Elections (Amendment) Act, 2017 – key recent amendment. Passed 28 Feb 2017 and in effect 8 March 2017, it reduced candidate nomination fees dramatically (e.g. presidential fee from D250,000 to D50,000). This followed earlier increases in 2015. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a7c2ca18a02c7a46149331c/t/5a845c18f9619a4e1b208db2/1518623770492/Election+Amendment+Act.pdf
• 1996 AFPRC Elections Decree – (promulgated by the military government) – governed the 1996 elections and remains in force law.
Accredited Election Monitoring Organizations
Recent Election Publication
News & Updates
Gambia
Worst Election Recorded in the whole world. #5
Observe West Africa is a youth-led, civic-driven platform dedicated to promoting transparent and inclusive elections across West Africa.
Gambia
Worst Election Recorded in the whole world. #4
Observe West Africa is a youth-led, civic-driven platform dedicated to promoting transparent and inclusive elections across West Africa.
Election Result Platform
How To Monitor Elections In
Gambia
Accreditation: Obtain through the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) or established observer coalitions recognized by CENI.