Gambia holds presidential election

BANJUL - The Gambia holds presidential election on Saturday with more than 900,000 registered voters expected to cast their votes across the country.

It is the first presidential election since the defeat of the long-term ruler Yahya Jammeh in 2016 by the current leader Adama Barrow.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), a body responsible for conducting national elections, has accepted the nomination of six presidential candidates, including the National People's Party (NPP), United Democratic Party (UDP) led by Ousainu Darboe, Halifa Sallah, the leader of the People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), Mama Kandeh, leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), Abdoulie Ebrima Jammeh, leader of National Unity Party (NUP) and the Independent Candidate Essa Mbye Faal.

The polls opened at 8 am and will close at 5 pm. The voting process has since been peaceful and calm. All the candidates, including the president, who have voted this morning, have called for calm and peace throughout the process.

Several international observers have been visiting the polling stations to observe and ensure the process is free and fair.