The Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Joseph Colley, has warned that the Commission will prosecute anyone found to have deliberately engaged in voter registration fraud as preparations intensify for The Gambia’s 2026 general elections.
Speaking on Thursday at the IEC’s monthly stakeholders’ forum held at the OIC Conference Centre in Bijilo, Colley reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the country’s electoral process through strict enforcement of electoral laws.
He said the IEC has adopted a zero-tolerance approach toward any act that threatens the credibility of the national voter register, describing a clean and accurate register as the cornerstone of free, fair, and transparent elections.
“The Commission will not hesitate to pursue legal action against individuals found to have intentionally violated voter registration regulations,” Colley told stakeholders.
The IEC Chair disclosed that the Commission is currently undertaking a voter register verification and adjudication exercise aimed at identifying and addressing irregularities before the publication of the final voters’ register.
According to him, the exercise is designed to detect cases of multiple registrations, false registrations, and other discrepancies that could compromise the credibility of the electoral roll.
Colley emphasised that maintaining an accurate and credible voter register is essential to ensuring public confidence in the electoral process and the legitimacy of election outcomes.
He also urged political parties, civil society organisations, and the general public to cooperate with the Commission by adhering to established electoral laws and procedures throughout the electoral cycle.
The IEC assured stakeholders that all complaints and suspected violations will be handled in accordance with due process, stressing that legal action will only be taken where investigations establish sufficient evidence of wrongdoing.
The warning comes as the Commission continues preparations for the 2026 general elections, with efforts focused on strengthening transparency, accountability, and public trust in The Gambia’s democratic process.
