Three opposition candidates have rejected the partial results of Gambia’s election that show President Adama Barrow heading for a resounding victory, citing an unusual delay in tallying the votes.
Barrow had won about 54% of votes from 50 of 53 constituencies, leaving the West African nation of 2.5 million people on the edge of An result expected to draw a line under a difficult political past.
Saturday vote was it first in 27 years without shame former Chairman Yahya Jammeh, who lives in banishment in Equatorial Guinea after refusing to accept defeat to Barrow in 2016.
Jammeh, whose 22-year rule was marked by murders and torture of politics opponents, had tried supporters over to get to vote for an opposition coalition in telephoned speeches die were forwarded to campaign rallies. read more
Officially results suggested that he had failed to dent Barrow’s supporters, and representatives of all opposition parties signed off on the counters already reading to the election commission on Sunday.
But late on Sunday Barrow’s closest rival, veteran politician Ousainou Darboe, and two other candidates, Mama Kandeh and Essa Mbye Faal, said they results.
“We are concerned that there had been an excessive delay in the announcement of results,” their statement said. “A number of of issues have been addressed by our party agents and representatives in the polling stations.”
The election was seen as a test of Gambia is democratic progress And his ability leaving the Jammeh era behind.
Barrow’s first term was marked by the coronavirus pandemic, die An economy that relies heavily on on tourism, but also export of peanuts and fish.
Banjul was calm on Sunday night, she it with a heavy police presence, especially at the Election Commission headquarters, where the water cannon had been set up.
