(JollofNews) – President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia’s on Thursday submitted his candidacy to seek a fifth term in December’s presidential election.
Jammeh, 51, who took power in a bloodless coup in 1994 was accompanied to Independent Electoral Commission’s office in Kanifing by his wife, Zined Jammeh, senior government officials and thousands of party supporters.
Wearing a white haftan and carrying a copy of the Qur’an, Mr Jammeh as part of the nomination process submitted for scrutiny a declaration of his assets and showed proof to the commission that he has got the backing of 5000 registered voters from various regions of the country. He also paid a deposit of D500,000 and proof of his income tax clearance.
After submitting the required documentation to the electoral commission, Jammeh told its chairman: “No matter what people say about me, I am not moved… I don’t listen to anybody because I know what is important.
“It is between me and God Almighty. You want to listen to everybody and satisfy everybody, you will end up satisfying the evil people.
“Do what is right. Make sure you satisfy the Almighty Allah.”
The Gambia with a population of less than two million, will hold presidential election on 1st December with 886, 578 Gambians expected to vote, according official figures from the electoral commission.
Mr Jammeh is being challenged in the polls by Mamma Kandeh of the Gambia Democratic Congress and Adama Barrow who is heading a coalition of opposition parties including the Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), the National Convention Party (NCP), the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) the Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress (GPDP).
The Gambia operates a simple majority vote system and a candidate who has a simple majority of votes would be declared winner.
