Misira Ward in Sandu District is grappling with a representation crisis due to the prolonged absence of its elected councillor, Saikou T. Drammeh. As of June 2026, Mr. Drammeh has been absent from his duties for eight months, leaving constituents without a local representative. The councillor, who was elected to serve the ward, has reportedly been in the United States during this period. His absence has led to significant concerns among residents regarding governance and access to local services, impacting community development initiatives and the resolution of local issues. The situation has prompted calls for clarification on the councillor's status and the mechanisms for ensuring continuous representation for the ward's population. The community's concerns show the critical role of local governance in addressing everyday challenges and fostering development at the grassroots level.
Councillor's Unexplained Absence
Councillor Saikou T. Drammeh, the elected representative for Misira Ward in Sandu District, has been outside The Gambia since December 2025, according to reports. This extended period abroad means that as of June 2026, Drammeh's absence has lasted eight months. Residents of Misira Ward have expressed profound concern over the lack of representation, particularly regarding local development needs such as roads and drainage, which become pressing during the rainy season. The prolonged absence has left the community without a key figure to address these infrastructure issues, leaving many feeling unheard and unrepresented in local decision-making processes. The challenges posed by the rainy season, including impassable roads and inadequate drainage, are critical issues that typically require immediate attention and advocacy from local councillors. Without Councillor Drammeh present, residents are finding it impossible to channel these urgent concerns through the proper local government channels.
In June 2026, the Basse Area Council chairman stated that Mr. Drammeh had missed two consecutive general council meetings and was anticipated to miss a third. This formal acknowledgment by the chairman noted the official recognition of Mr. Drammeh's continued absence from official duties at the council level. Council procedures often stipulate consequences for councillors who fail to attend a certain number of meetings without official leave, potentially leading to questions about their eligibility to continue serving. The Local Government Act, for instance, includes specific provisions addressing such scenarios. The chairman's statement thus brought into focus the potential implications of the councillor's prolonged non-attendance at key council proceedings, raising questions about the future of representation for Misira Ward.
Council's Delayed Notification
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had not received formal notification from the Basse Area Council regarding the councillor's absence as of the article's publication. This lack of official communication prevents the IEC from initiating the process for a by-election. The IEC cannot organize a by-election for a vacant seat without formal notification from the relevant authority, which in this case is the Basse Area Council. Such notification is a prerequisite for the commission to declare a vacancy and subsequently schedule an electoral process to fill it. The procedural delay has left Misira Ward in a state of limbo, with residents lacking an active representative and no immediate pathway to elect a new one. The formal notification is a key administrative step that underpins the legal framework for addressing vacancies in local government.
The Basse Area Council held its third meeting for 2026 on June 20, 2026. During this meeting, the council addressed the ongoing situation with Councillor Saikou T. Drammeh. A resolution was passed by the Basse Area Council in June 2026 for the council to formally notify the IEC of the vacancy in Misira Ward. This resolution marks an official acknowledgment by the council of the need to inform the electoral body about the absence of its representative. The decision indicates that the council has formally moved to address the administrative steps required to potentially trigger a by-election. However, despite this resolution, the subsequent formal notification to the IEC had not yet occurred by the time of publication, prolonging the uncertainty for the ward's constituents. The absence of this critical notification means that the IEC remains unable to act, despite the council's internal decision to proceed.
Residents' Growing Concerns
Residents of Misira Ward have been unable to contact Councillor Saikou T. Drammeh, making it impossible to raise issues or seek his intervention, according to reports. Councillor Drammeh is believed to be in the United States, which has contributed to his prolonged absence from official duties. The Local Government Act stipulates that a councillor who is absent from three consecutive ordinary meetings without providing an excuse may have their seat declared vacant. This provision is central to the ongoing discussion regarding Mr. Drammeh's status and the legal avenues available to resolve the representation crisis. The inability of residents to reach their elected representative has created a significant void in local governance, hindering the community's ability to address pressing issues.
Sadda Njie, the Regional Electoral Officer for the Basse Administrative Area, would be responsible for overseeing any electoral processes in the region, including a potential by-election for Misira Ward. However, until the IEC receives formal notification, Mr. Njie's office cannot initiate any electoral preparations. The inability to reach their representative has left residents feeling unrepresented, particularly concerning local governance and development initiatives. This situation has prompted questions about the mechanisms in place to ensure continuous representation for the ward's population, especially when an elected official is absent for an extended period. The community's concerns highlight the immediate impact of the councillor's absence on their ability to address local issues effectively, from infrastructure maintenance to community welfare programs. The lack of communication channels with their representative exacerbates feelings of disenfranchisement and detachment from the local government process.