NPP, UDP – Council Seats “Tight Victory Race Unveils”

Results from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) shows a tight race between President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP) and the leading opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), after a peaceful Local Government elections held on Saturday.

As part of the 2021-2023 electoral cycle, Gambians returned to the polls on April 15, 2023, to elect new local government councilors across the country to steer the affairs of various wards in various administrative councils for the next five years.

According to the results, the president’s party only won three seats in both Kanifing Municipality and West Coast Region – the biggest regions in the country while the opposition UDP swept polls in these areas.

However, the president’s party is reported to have won a majority of seats in the Capital City and the rural Gambia – making the race very competitive between the ruling party and the UDP.

After casting his vote  in Banjul, President Barrow told the waiting press the importance of councillors’ election, saying the elected councillors will manage the grassroots.

“It’s very important for people to exercise their civic duty to vote and choose those that will run the affairs of the councils. I call on Gambians to vote for the candidate of their choice because this is a clear indication that we are nurturing and consolidating our democracy moving forward,” Barrow stated.

The president congratulated all the political parties  that participated in the election circle and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for being neutral and making sure that a conducive environment is always created for the Gambians.

“Today, we can proudly say that we are one of the best democratic countries in the world.  That wouldn’t have happened if my government was not tolerant. We are tolerant because we believe that only Gambians can elect and put us in positions,” the NPP leader said.