The minister for Justice today tabled the Election Bill 2021 before NAMs to seek some amendments and add new insertion in the election laws of the Gambia. Key among them is the deposits for Presidential candidates, mayoral candidates, candidates for National Assembly and Councillors candidates. The Bill also aimed to demarcate some constituencies to two due to their size and combine smaller ones into single constituencies.  

The category for payment by president, NAM, Mayor/Chairperson and Councillors are as follows:

(1) A candidate shall, at the time he or she de!ivers his or her nomination paper to the Returning Officer for elections to the office of-

(a) President, shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Returning Officer, the sum of 500,000.00 (five hundred thousand dalasis); 

  1. b) Member of the National Assembly, deposit or cause t tbhe deposited w!th the Returning Officer the sum of 50,000.00 (fifty thousand dalasi)
  2. c) Mayor or Chairperson deposited or cause to deposited with the returning officer, the sum of 50,000.00 (fifty thousand dalasis) and 

(e) Councillor, deposit or cause to be deposited w\th the Returning Officer, the sum of 10,000.00 (ten thousand dalasi)

According to the new elections Bill, the following constituencies will be demarcated to two constituencies:

  1. Banjul will maintain the 3 constituencies 
  2. Bundungka kunda shall be demarcated into two constituencies.
  3. Jeshwang to be demarcated into two constituencies.
  4. Latri Sabiji to be demarcated into two constituencies.
  5. Serekunda West to be demarcated into two constituencies 
  6. Kombo East to be demarcated into two constituencies.
  7. Kombo South to be demarcated into two constituencies.

The following constituencies will combine together Busumbala, Yundum and Sannementary will constitute a single constituency whiles Tumana constituency will no longer exist.

By: Sarjo D Bojang