IEC Flags 24,058 Cases of Double Voter Registration, Warns of Prosecution

Written By: Alieu Jallow

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has disclosed that biometric verification carried out during the recently concluded supplementary voter registration exercise detected 24,058 cases of double or multiple voter registration, warning that offenders could face prosecution or disqualification from voting.

Speaking at the Commission’s monthly stakeholders’ forum, IEC Chairman Joseph Colley said a total of 212,095 people were registered between April 8th and May 21st, 2026. The figure includes 96,581 male voters and 115,514 female voters. A further 8,169 voters applied to transfer their registration.

“The Commission regrets to announce that biometric matching detected a total of 24,058 persons who registered more than once,” Colley said.

He stressed that double or multiple voter registration is a criminal offence under Gambian law and said the Commission would take appropriate action against those found culpable.

“Further adjudication is currently being conducted. This will help verify cases of double or multiple registration,” he added.

According to Colley, the final 2026 registration data will be merged with the 2021 voter register after the publication of the provisional voter list and completion of the revision court process.

The IEC chairman said the registration exercise targeted Gambians who missed the 2021 voter registration and citizens who will attain the age of 18 by December 5th, 2026.

To encourage participation, the Commission conducted voter sensitisation campaigns across the country through face-to-face outreach, radio programmes and social media engagement.

“In addition to the registration of new voters, the Commission also opened a window for replacement and transfer of voter’s cards. This allowed voters who lost or damaged their cards to obtain replacements, while those who relocated were transferred to polling stations closer to their new residences,” Colley explained.

He said the exercise was monitored by political party agents deployed to registration centres and IEC election offices nationwide. The Commission also accredited media houses, civil society organisations and political parties to observe the process.

Colley further highlighted the introduction of new electoral regulations, including rules governing the use of attestations during voter registration.

“The Commission introduced electoral regulations on some key issues, such as the use of attestations in voter registration. This was in a bid to strengthen the electoral process,” he said.

He reaffirmed the IEC’s commitment to delivering free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections, assuring stakeholders that the Commission remains committed to protecting the credibility of The Gambia’s democratic process.