The United Democratic Party (UDP) has responded to the latest opinion poll released by the Centre for Policy Research and Strategic Studies (CEPRASS), stressing that while surveys can offer insight, elections are ultimately decided at the ballot box.
The CEPRASS poll, published on Thursday morning, has generated wide discussion as the country prepares for the December presidential election.
In a statement, the UDP said it welcomed the survey as a contribution to public debate but cautioned against treating polling data as a prediction of the final outcome.
“Polls can inform strategy, but the final verdict will come from the sovereign choice of the Gambian electorate,” the party said.
The UDP noted that opinion polls are useful for gauging public sentiment at a particular moment, but they do not replace the will of voters expressed on election day. The party added that its focus remains firmly on engaging citizens across the country and responding to their concerns, rather than relying on statistical projections.
According to the statement, the UDP plans to study the CEPRASS findings as part of its campaign planning, but said its priority is to earn voter trust through direct engagement and practical policy proposals.
The party also pointed to recent electoral experiences elsewhere in Africa where polling failed to fully capture political momentum. It cited Malawi’s 2020 election and Zambia’s 2021 vote as examples where opposition candidates outperformed expectations suggested by pre-election surveys.
“These experiences remind us that elections are won by people, not polls,” the UDP said.
As campaigning intensifies ahead of December, the party reaffirmed its confidence in the Gambian electorate, saying the outcome of the presidential election will reflect the collective decision of voters on election day, not the numbers published in advance.
