The Gambia Democratic Congress has dismissed the latest political survey released by the Center for Policy, Research and Strategic Studies, accusing the institution of trying to undermine the party ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The survey, published on Thursday, has drawn a sharp response from the GDC leadership, with Administrative Secretary Ebrima Nyang describing its conclusions as misleading and detached from political realities on the ground.
Speaking on behalf of the party, Nyang said the GDC was not surprised by the results, arguing that the survey fits a broader pattern aimed at weakening the party’s public image.
“CePRASS’s efforts are clearly aimed at bringing the GDC down,” Nyang said. “We know what is happening on the ground, and our anticipation was right long before they published this nonsense.”
According to Nyang, the survey fails to reflect the party’s strength, particularly in provincial areas and at the grassroots level. He maintained that the data does not capture what he described as growing momentum for the GDC as the country moves closer to the next electoral cycle.
The party also questioned the credibility of the findings, insisting that its internal assessments and ongoing engagement with supporters paint a very different picture of voter sentiment.
Despite the survey’s claims, Nyang said the GDC remains focused on mobilisation and outreach, rather than what he called misleading research reports. He stressed that the party’s confidence in its support base remains intact.
CePRASS, which is often linked to the University of The Gambia, has played a visible role in Gambian political discourse since the 2021 elections, producing surveys on voting intentions and government performance. The institution says its work is based on scientific research methods.
However, its findings have repeatedly attracted criticism from opposition parties, who accuse it of favoring the political status quo.
As preparations for the 2026 elections begin to intensify, the dispute between political parties and research institutions underscores the growing influence of opinion polling and the wider struggle to shape public perception in The Gambia’s evolving democratic space.
