Gambian presidential election, 2016
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of the Gambia |
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Presidential elections were held in the Gambia on 1 December 2016.[1] During the election, internet access and international phone calls were blocked by Gambian authorities.[2][3] In a surprise result, opposition candidate Adama Barrow defeated long-term incumbent Yahya Jammeh.[4]
Electoral system
The President of the Gambia is elected in one round by plurality vote.[5]
Instead of using paper ballots, elections in the Gambia are conducted using marbles. Each voter receives a marble and places it in the drum corresponding to that voter's favored candidate.[6]
Candidates
The Independent Electoral Commission registered three political parties and accepted their nominations for three candidates on dedicated nomination days; incumbent President Yahya Jammeh representing the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Reconstruction was accepted on 10 November 2016;[7] the candidate for the Independent Coalition of Parties, Adama Barrow, was accepted on 9 November,[8] and the candidate for the Gambia Democratic Congress, Mammah Kandeh, was accepted on 7 November 2016.[9]
Results
Jammeh conceded to Barrow on 2 December before the results were released.[4]
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adama Barrow | Independent Coalition of Parties | 263,515 | 45.5 |
| Yahya Jammeh | Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction | 212,099 | 36.7 |
| Mammah Kandeh | Gambia Democratic Congress | 102,969 | 17.8 |
| Invalid/blank votes | – | ||
| Total | 578,583 | 100 | |
| Registered voters/turnout | |||
| Source: BBC | |||
References
- ↑ Global elections calendar NDI
- ↑ "Gambia: Free Speech Ban Threatens Rights in Vote Aftermath". Human Rights Watch. 1 December 2016.
- ↑ "The Gambia bans international calls and internet as voters go to polls". The Guardian. 1 December 2016.
- 1 2 Gambia's Jammeh loses presidential election to Adama Barrow BBC News, 2 December 2016
- ↑ Republic of The Gambia IFES
- ↑ "Gambia election: Voters use marbles to choose president". BBC. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ↑ His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh Babili Mansa Independent Electoral Commission
- ↑ Adama Barrow Independent Electoral Commission
- ↑ Hon. Mamma Kandeh Independent Electoral Commission