Gambia: Opposition UDP files election petition at Supreme Court
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - Gambia’s opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) and runner-up of the West African nation December 4 presidential election, has filed an election petition before the Supreme Court of the Gambia, challenging the electoral body’s declaration of President Adama Barrow as the winner.
Late on Tuesday, Lawyer Borry S. Touray filed an election petition before the Supreme Court against the respondent Adama Barrow, pursuant to sections 49 and 127 of the constitution of the Gambia and rule 62 of the Supreme Court and sections 97, 116 and 117 of the elections act.
In the petition, the petitioner alleged "serious violations" of the provisions of the election act, cap 3, of the revised laws of the Gambia.
The first ground of the petition, according to the petitioner, is the prevalence of corrupt practices in the just-concluded presidential election particularly section 116 of the election act which does not permit the adulteration of the election system.
PANA reports on Wednesday that the petition highlighted multiple malpractices such as denial of the presence of party agents when the ballot boxes were sealed in the morning before the commencement of the polls, participation of governors, chiefs and village heads serving the interest of the incumbent and denial of voters to cast their ballot at some polling stations by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) officials among other malpractices.
The petitioner further seeks an order from the Constitutional Court to challenge the electoral body to produce its database and relevant records and declared the election of the respondent, Adama Barrow, as invalid by reasons of corrupt practices.
The petitioner further contended that numerous non-Gambians queued in various polling stations all over the country to cast their votes which needs to be investigated.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is yet to set a date for the full hearing of the petition.
-0- PANA MSS/VAO 15Dec2021
