NDI Deploys Pre-Election Assessment Mission to The Gambia

Banjul, The Gambia – The National Democratic Institute (NDI) will deploy a pre-election assessment mission to The Gambia from August 24-28 in the lead-up to the December 2026 presidential election.

The mission will meet with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and other political and electoral stakeholders, including citizen observers, to hear their perspectives and gather information on the electoral process and preparations for the upcoming polls. The delegation will present its findings in a public statement at the end of the mission.

The delegation is co-led by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, and Professor Attahiru Jega, former Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria. It includes regional and election experts, including Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, Senior Associate for Africa and Special Advisor to the President, NDI, and Dr. Sophia Moestrup, Deputy Director for Central and West Africa, NDI.

“The 2026 election will be pivotal in The Gambia’s democratic trajectory. Many Gambians hope that all electoral stakeholders will ensure the upcoming election consolidates democratic progress in a country now recognized as one of Africa's more stable democracies,” said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.

“Transparent, inclusive, and peaceful elections are vital to building Gambians’ trust in their government and leaders,” said Professor Jega. “With this pre-election assessment mission, we aim to offer actionable recommendations that bolster the conduct of the polls and further the democratic development of The Gambia.”

“Our delegation looks forward to engaging with key Gambian electoral stakeholders to help ensure that the upcoming presidential election truly reflects the aspirations of citizens,” said Dr. Fomunyoh. “NDI is proud to again stand with the people of The Gambia as they work to safeguard elections and other pillars of democratic governance.”    

Over the past 40 years, NDI has conducted more than 250 international election observation missions in 70 countries worldwide. The NDI mission to The Gambia will conduct its activities in accordance with the laws of the country and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation adopted at the United Nations in 2005 and endorsed by 65 organizations, including the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). All activities will be conducted on a strictly impartial and nonpartisan basis and without interfering in the election process.

This mission is possible thanks to the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).