Mamma Kandeh, leader of the GDC, accused the National People's Party (NPP) of registering 3,343 foreign voters in several communities within the Kombos. Kandeh alleged that these registrations occurred in areas including Kitty, Old Yundum, New Yundum, Latriya, Jabang, Tawto, Bakoteh, Kanifing, Kanifing Layout, Pipeline, Jambur, Bakau New Town, Fajara Hotel, Fajara Sabena, Brusubi, Sukuta Junction-Ba, Farato, Busumbala, and Makumbaya. He stated, "This is only the Kombos. I am calling on the IEC to take note of this fraud." Kandeh further claimed, "It was issued in Sandu at around 6:45 PM and we all know IEC does not operate up to that time and besides there was no registration in 2025. So let the IEC come out and answer these questions."
Kandeh's Specific Accusations
Mamma Kandeh claimed specific registration numbers for each center where foreign voters were allegedly enrolled, detailing 309 registrations at Old Yundum, 234 at New Yundum, and 112 at Latriya. He further alleged 354 registrations at Jabang, 225 at Tawto, 156 at Bakoteh, and 324 at Kanifing, alongside 58 at Kanifing Layout. Pipeline reportedly had 261 registrations, Jambur 212, Bakau New Town 126, Fajara Hotel 54, Fajara Sabena 71, and Brusubi 45. Additionally, Kandeh cited 134 registrations at Sukuta Junction-Ba, 327 at Farato, 213 at Busumbala, and 128 at Makumbaya. Dou Sanno, the NPP spokesperson, countered these allegations, stating, "The NPP has not attempted, nor will it attempt, to register any foreigner. Our commitment is to a clean, credible voter register administered by the IEC, free from partisan interference." Sanno emphasized that such claims should be addressed through legal channels, remarking, "It is unacceptable for a political leader to make such serious allegations based on an audio he has not even verified."
NPP's Rebuttal and Past Claims
Dou Sanno, spokesperson for the National People's Party (NPP), accused Mamma Kandeh of making "unfounded and unjustifiable" claims regarding alleged foreign voter registration by the NPP. Sanno stated, "The NPP has not attempted, nor will it attempt, to register any foreigner. Our commitment is to a clean, credible voter register administered by the IEC, free from partisan interference." He further criticized Kandeh, remarking, "It is unacceptable for a political leader to make such serious allegations based on an audio he has not even verified. We expect better political maturity from Mr Kandeh than resorting to cheap politics."
Sanno emphasized that if there is evidence of irregularities on the voter register, the appropriate forum for addressing such concerns is the revising courts. He said, "These allegations are unsubstantiated and directly impugn the integrity of The Gambia’s electoral process and the institutions that administer it. If there is evidence of irregularities on the voter register, the appropriate forum is the revising courts established under our electoral laws." Sanno added that the NPP expects any political actor with concerns to test them through the legal process, "not through unverified audios or public statements." He also recalled a previous accusation, stating, "In 2021, he claimed that the NPP registered 250,000 foreigners but I think he must have been a fool not to challenge that in the revising courts then."
Call for Legal Channels
Mamma Kandeh stated he intercepted evidence of alleged foreign registrations within a WhatsApp conversation on the NPP Soninkara page. The GDC leader also cited a purported voter's card, which he claimed was issued in 2025 and bore the signature of current IEC Chairman Joseph Colley. According to Kandeh, this specific card was allegedly issued in Sandu at 6:45 PM. His claims are part of broader accusations against the National People's Party regarding voter registration practices. Dou Sanno, the NPP spokesperson, has called for any evidence of irregularities to be presented through established legal channels, rather than through unverified statements.
Broader Electoral Integrity
Dou Sanno, spokesperson for the National People's Party (NPP), contended that Mamma Kandeh's current allegations echoed past unsubstantiated claims. Sanno recalled Kandeh's 2021 assertion that the NPP had registered 250,000 foreigners, stating, "In 2021, he claimed that the NPP registered 250,000 foreigners but I think he must have been a fool not to challenge that in the revising courts then." Sanno emphasized, "These allegations are unsubstantiated and directly impugn the integrity of The Gambia’s electoral process and the institutions that administer it." He reiterated the NPP's commitment to a "clean, credible voter register" and urged political actors to utilize established legal channels for any concerns.
