Name of the Organization : Independent Electoral Commission
Type of Facility : Voter Registration
Country : Gambia
Official Website : http://www.iec.gm/
Voter Registration :
Voter Registration is a fundamental element of the electoral process. It is that which enables a citizen of a particular country to exercise the freedom of electing their leaders.
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Firstly, the citizen has to show willingness to have his/her name inserted in the Voters’ Register and after completing the process a Voting Card is issued.
Am I Registered :
You can only be a registered voter if you have a valid voters card issued by the IEC according to the provisions of the Elections Act, Sections 11-21.
A person shall be entitled to have his/her name entered on a register of voters in a constituency if he/she is :
** a citizen of The Gambia;
** 18 or will be 18 by the date of the next election; and
** a resident, or was born in that constituency.
No person shall be entitled to have his/her name entered or retained on a register of voters if he/she is :
** not a Gambian citizen;
** serving a sentence of imprisonment;
** a person adjudged to be of unsound mind or detained as a criminal lunatic under any law;
** a person whose name is entered on a register of voters (by whatever name called) in any other country or territory; or
** otherwise disqualified under this Decree or under any other law.
Why & How do I Register :
Registration is a prerequisite for eligibility for voting.
In order to be able to register, one should apply in person at the designated voter registration centres by the IEC, providing at least ONE of the following forms of identification :
(a) a birth certificate,
(b) a Gambian passport,
(c) a National Identity Card, or
(d) a document certified by five elders residing in the place of birth of the applicant stating that the applicant was born in that place.
(e) a document certified by the District Seyfo or an Alkalo of the Village of birth of the applicant stating that the applicant was born in the District or Village.
No applicant shall be rejected upon the presentation of any of the above named documents.
What if I am Resident Abroad :
The Commission has been mandated by the Elections Act (Section 11) to provide a register of voters in foreign countries. Such a mandate is being looked into.
Presently, Gambians living abroad have the option of returning to the Gambia during registration periods and register within their Constituencies of origin. This will mean that it is only in this type of registration that they can vote during National or Local Elections, until such a time that a register of voters in foreign countries become feasible.
Where & When do I Register :
Dates for general and supplementary registration of voters are set by the IEC according to the provisions of the Election Act.
A gazette is published announcing the dates of registration.
Registration is done at predetermined registration centres.
These centres in effect are also the polling stations. Therefore where one registers is where one votes.
Contact Us :
Independent Electoral Commission
Election House
Bertil Harding Highway
Kanifing East Layout
P.O. Box 793
Banjul The Gambia
Tel : (+220) 4373804 Fax: (+220) 4373803
Email : admin@iec.gm / info@iec.gm