Gambian president’s party narrowly wins legislative polls

Adama Barrow’s Nationwide Individuals’s Social gathering is in need of an absolute majority within the 58-seat chamber, election outcomes present.

Adama Barrow was re-elected in December 2021 [File: Zohra Bensemra/Reuters]

Gambian President Adama Barrow’s get together has gained a slender victory in legislative elections, however fell in need of securing the bulk wanted to manipulate the nation alone.

Barrow’s Nationwide Individuals’s Social gathering gained 19 of the 53 contested parliamentary seats, overturning the primary opposition United Democratic Social gathering’s  (UDP) majority, in keeping with outcomes revealed by The Gambia’s unbiased electoral fee on Sunday.

The president can designate the 5 different members of parliament, together with its speaker, who might be chosen from his get together within the coming days. Nevertheless, Barrow’s get together is in need of an absolute majority within the 58-seat chamber.

The UDP claimed 15 seats and independents arrived in third place with 11, in keeping with the outcomes.

Barrow gained a second time period in workplace after securing 53 % of the vote in a presidential election late final yr.

His first surprising victory within the 2016 presidential election ended greater than 20 years of rule below Yahya Jammeh marred by state atrocities.

Low turnout reported

In contrast to the December 2021 ballot, turnout on the legislative elections was low, in keeping with native media. The electoral fee has not offered a nationwide determine.

The brand new parliament is because of be sworn in on Thursday.

Barrow, 57, faces quite a few challenges, together with hovering inflation nationwide reconciliation and combating corruption.

He has promised to introduce constitutional change by the tip of his time period, however in September 2020 the outgoing parliament rejected a draft structure limiting the president to 2 phrases.

Barrow has additionally been urged to answer suggestions from a fee that investigated crimes dedicated by the state below the Jammeh authorities.

House to some two million in what's continental Africa’s smallest nation, The Gambia is among the many world’s 20 least developed states, in keeping with the United Nations.