Senior Magistrate M. S. Dem delivered a judgment in Basse on 22 September 2026 regarding the voter registry for case number MSC/RC/147/2026. The court order mandates the removal of Bubacarr Baldeh from the registry following an objection filed by Basorry Balisa. Basorry Balisa submitted the legal challenge under Section 25(3) of the Elections Act, 2025. The ruling concludes the proceedings initiated against the individual.
The proceedings in Basse were held to address specific challenges concerning the integrity of the voter roll. During the hearing for case number MSC/RC/147/2026, Senior Magistrate M. S. Dem reviewed the evidence presented by the objector, Basorry Balisa. The court examined the procedural compliance of the registration process in light of the legal requirements established by the Elections Act, 2025. By invoking Section 25(3) of the Elections Act, 2025, Basorry Balisa sought to ensure that the voter registry accurately reflected the eligibility criteria mandated by law. Senior Magistrate M. S. Dem heard arguments regarding the validity of the documentation provided by Bubacarr Baldeh during the registration period.
Evidence of Registration Defect
Senior Magistrate M. S. Dem determined that the Alkalo attestation submitted by Bubacarr Baldeh contained material defects. Records indicate the document bore a signature identical to that of an Independent Electoral Commission supervisor. The court identified this overlap as the primary basis for the invalidation of the registration record associated with voter card number 126260519104906.
The court found that the Alkalo attestation presented by Bubacarr Baldeh was materially defective because it bore the same signature as an Independent Electoral Commission supervisor. This finding was central to the decision rendered by Senior Magistrate M. S. Dem. The voter card number 126260519104906 was subsequently flagged for removal from the official registry as a direct consequence of the court’s determination.
Legal standards for voter registration in The Gambia are defined under Section 13(2) of the Elections Act, 2025. This provision recognizes specific documents as valid proof of eligibility for inclusion on the electoral roll. Acceptable documentation includes birth certificates, passports, national identity cards, or formal attestations issued by an Alkalo or Seyfo. Section 13(2) of the Elections Act, 2025, recognizes birth certificates, passports, national identity cards, or attestations from an Alkalo or Seyfo as valid for voter registration. While the law permits the use of an Alkalo attestation, the court ruled that the presence of the Independent Electoral Commission official’s signature on the document presented by Bubacarr Baldeh rendered it ineligible for verification purposes. The court emphasized that the administrative requirements for documentation must be strictly followed to maintain the accuracy of the electoral roll. Consequently, the judgment serves as a formal correction to the registry in accordance with the standards set forth in the Elections Act, 2025.
