Info
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
b . Deposit requirement (specify amount) f . Other
Comments: As far as mentioned in the source, the requirement for the political parties is that all executive members of any party to be resident in Gambia.
For a candidate, one shall be nominated by not less than 300 voters whose names appear in the register of voters for the constituency for which he/she seeks to be elected. Every nomination shall be subscribed by the candidate who shall make the declaration contained in the relevant Form and by the persons nominating him. In addition, a candidate shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Returning Officer, the sum of 50,000 dalasis. This deposit is refundable under certain conditions determined in the law.
Source: Elections Decree 78 of 1996, part IV, section 42 (2-b), 43 (1-b), 44: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GM/gambia-elections-decree-78-of-1996/view
"How to Register a Party" - Independent Electoral Commission-The Gambia
http://iec.gm/political-parties/how-to-register-a-party/
"Dangerous to Dissent" (Amnesty International),p.13: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GM/gambia-dangerous-to-dissent-human-rights-under/view
Verified: 2017/03/21
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship d . Residence h . Minimum level of education j . Other
Comments: A person is qualified for election to the National Assembly if he or she
(a) is a citizen of The Gambia;
(b) has attained the age of 21 years;
(c) has been ordinarily resident in the constituency for a period of at least one year prior to nomination day;
(d) is able to speak the English Language with a degree of proficiency sufficient to enable him or her to take part in the proceedings of the National Assembly; and
(e) has made declaration of his or her assets to the Independent Electoral Commission.
Source: Constitution, Chapter VII, part 89 (1): https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Gambia_2004?lang=en (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/21
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments: Any person who is qualified to be registered as a voter may participate as independent candidate in any election.
Source: Constitution, Chapter V, part 3, sections 47, 49: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Gambia_2004?lang=en (2017)
Elections Decree 78 of 1996, part VIII, section 104 (2): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GM/gambia-elections-decree-78-of-1996/view
Verified: 2017/03/21
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
c . Indirect
Comments: Access to the media and tax exceptions.
Source: Constitution: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Gambia_2004?lang=en (2017)
Elections Decree 78 of 1996, part VI, sections 86, 93: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GM/gambia-elections-decree-78-of-1996/view;
Report of the Commonwealth Expert Team on the Gambia presidential election of 24 November 2011: http://aceproject.org/electoral-advice/dop?country=Gambia&organization=&year=2011&election=2&mission=&report=3&keywords= (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/21
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
g . Not applicable
Comments: Only indirect public funding is provided in the form of access to the media and tax exceptions for electoral PR materials.
Source: Constitution:
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Gambia_2004?lang=en (2017)
Elections Decree 78 of 1996, part VI, sections 86, 93: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GM/gambia-elections-decree-78-of-1996/view;
Report of the Commonwealth Expert Team on the Gambia presidential election of 24 November 2011:
http://aceproject.org/electoral-advice/dop?country=Gambia&organization=&year=2011&election=2&mission=&report=3&keywords= (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/21
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Report of the Commonwealth Expert Team on the Gambia presidential election of 24 November 2011: http://aceproject.org/electoral-advice/dop?country=Gambia&organization=&year=2011&election=2&mission=&report=3&keywords= (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/21
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