Gambians on Thursday voted for new members of parliament for the first time since the exit of former long-time leader Yahya Jammeh.
In all 239 candidates from nine political parties registered to participate in the polls. 48 seats were up for grasp in Thursday’s election.
886,000 registered voters were eligible to vote in Thursday’s election.
Finally, #IEC Chief #Njai reports voter turn out of 42%. #UDP: 31 seats; #APRC: 5; #NRP 5; #GDC: 5; #PDOIS: 4; #PPP: 2 & #Independent 1 pic.twitter.com/hQbOl8pXQQ
— Alhagie Jobe (@freejobe39) April 7, 2017
Gambia’s opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) won an absolute majority in the elections. The UDP won 31 of the 53 available elected seats in the country’s National Assembly.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced that Mr Jammeh’s APRC party won just five seats.
#Gambia: After successful Parliamentary elections, #IEC Chief #Njai congratulates winners; thank voters,donors,staff, media &Int’l Observers pic.twitter.com/bJy2uhL7U2
— Alhagie Jobe (@freejobe39) April 7, 2017
Many considered Thursday’s process, historic since it gave Gambians the opportunity to elect lawmakers without any cohesion and imposition as it used to be under Yahya Jammeh.
Several election observer teams were deployed to Gambia to monitor the electoral process including observers from the European Commission.
Voting in Gambia was done by dropping marbles into barrels. Voter turnout was low.
Source: Africafeeds.com
