By Omar Bah
The European Union Election Follow-up Mission (EFM) has called on the Gambian authorities to accelerate electoral reform initiatives ahead of the 2026 presidential elections.
This mission, led by Norbert Neuser, the former Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission in 2021 and a former Member of the European Parliament, evaluated the progress made in implementing its recommendations. It stressed the need for further action to address the 20 recommendations issued following the 2021 presidential election. “The Elections Bill of 2022 remains on the legislative agenda. This presents a significant opportunity to renew the social contract between the people of The Gambia and their elected leaders through these parallel reform processes, which can enhance the conduct of future elections,” Neuser remarked yesterday at the Coco Ocean. While none of the EU Election Mission’s recommendations have been fully realized, Neuser pointed out that several legal instruments are currently on the legislative agenda. If executed and enforced, these could signify meaningful progress in advancing political participation rights.
The mission emphasized the necessity of reviving the constitutional review process and advancing electoral reform initiatives, particularly the Personal Data Protection and Privacy Bill of 2024. “It is imperative that progress on these measures is pursued in a transparent and consultative manner. With two years remaining until the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM), it is essential to concentrate on the seven priority reforms that will significantly enhance the integrity, legitimacy, and credibility of the electoral process.”
Neuser reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting democracy and good governance in The Gambia, which includes actively assisting stakeholders in their reform efforts. He announced that the EU Election Follow-up Mission will release a Final Report soon, offering a comprehensive analysis of the current electoral arrangements in The Gambia and the extent to which the EU EOM recommendations have been implemented.
The mission has engaged with various Gambian electoral stakeholders, including government officials, representatives from the National Assembly, the Independent Electoral Commission, and the National Human Rights Commission, as well as political parties and civil society representatives. Furthermore, in November, the mission hosted a roundtable meeting with electoral stakeholders to discuss the current status of electoral reform.
