By Yaya Dampha
NPP Diaspora Coordinator – Sweden
It have been brought to my attention that the fifth columnist Dr. Lamin Manneh and Gagigo were busy spewing falsification and fabrications on Kerr Fatou. I have listened to the two politically disoriented doctors and see the need for setting the records right.
As The Gambia moves toward another election year, truth and facts must guide our national conversation. Unfortunately, recent remarks by Dr. Lamin Manneh and Dr. Ousman Gajigo on the Kerr Fatou platform—claiming that the 2021 Presidential Election was “stolen” and that “300,000 votes were blocked”—are dangerous fabrications meant to mislead the public and erode confidence in our democratic institutions. These claims crumble under scrutiny and verifiable evidence.
Transparent Counting, Public Oversight
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) conducted one of the most transparent elections in Gambian history. Votes were counted on the spot at every polling station in the presence of party agents, national and international observers, the media, and the public. Every political party, including the UDP, had accredited agents who signed official result sheets before transmission.
This on-the-spot counting system—unique to The Gambia—makes the idea of mass vote tampering impossible without the collusion of thousands of officials, party agents, and observers. No such collusion was ever alleged, let alone proven.
Observer Reports Confirm Credibility
All credible observation missions—the European Union (EU), African Union (AU), ECOWAS, Commonwealth, and The Gambia’s own CSO Coalition on Elections—declared the election peaceful, transparent, and credible.
The EU Observation Mission commended the IEC for “transparent counting and prompt announcement of results.”
The AU Mission described the vote as “calm, orderly, and professionally managed.”
The CSO Coalition reported “no evidence of systemic irregularities.”
When every major observer mission independently validates the same result, conspiracy theories lose all credibility.
The “300,000 Blocked Votes” Claim Is Baseless
The allegation that 300,000 Gambians were blocked from voting is mathematically impossible and legally unfounded. The IEC published the voter register well in advance, allowing parties to verify every entry. No formal complaint or court filing ever cited mass disenfranchisement.
Moreover, the gap between registered voters and turnout is normal—many Gambians vote only in presidential elections, not in local or parliamentary contests. That pattern explains turnout differences, not any imagined “vote blocking.”
NPP’s Mandate Is Broad and Genuine
The NPP’s victory was not confined to one region or group—it was nationwide. The party went on to secure a majority in the National Assembly and performed strongly across the country. UDP’s limited local gains in some urban councils reflect local dynamics, not national dominance. Gambians voted for President Adama Barrow and the NPP because they saw tangible progress and credible leadership, not because of manipulation.
Demand Evidence or Retract Lies
Dr. Manneh and Dr. Gajigo, as educated citizens, owe Gambians proof—not propaganda. If they genuinely believe in their claims, they should present signed polling-station records, witness statements, or formal IEC complaints. So far, they have produced none.
Spreading falsehoods without evidence is intellectual dishonesty and political irresponsibility. At a time when unity and stability are vital, such conduct risks undermining public trust and national peace.
Conclusion
The 2021 Presidential Election was conducted openly, transparently, and credibly, witnessed by the world. The so-called “rigging” narrative is a fiction born of political frustration, not fact. Gambians must reject this misinformation and defend the integrity of our democracy.
Truth, not propaganda, will shape The Gambia’s future. The people spoke clearly in 2021—and their choice must continue to be respected. In the same vein the mighty NPP is set to defeat your parties hands down in the 2026 Presidential Election. You must accept democracy and tell the world that the Gambian votes rejected your party base.
Long live The Gambia. Long live our democracy.
Yaya Dampha
NPP Diaspora Coordinator – Sweden
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