At least two candidates, Yaya Whan of the Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction (APRC), and Abdoulie Jallow of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), were on Thursday December 4, nominated at the  Independent Electoral Commission   (IEC) regional office, in the Central River Region, ahead of the December 18 Nianija National Assembly by-election.

The nominations conducted by IEC officials in Janjangbureh were punctuated by singing and dancing by supporters from both parties. Speaking to the Daily Observer shortly after the nominations, Yaya Whan, the nominated APRC candidate for Nianija constituency, said his first priority is to bring development to the doorsteps of his people. He cited education as one of his priorities.

Mr Whan also called on his people to rally behind the APRC and keep the peace throughout the campaign and electoral process. He expressed optimism that he would win the election. Isatou Jallow-Ndure, the IEC returning officer in Janjangbureh, described Nianija as a small constituency, calling on the electorates to maintain peace and order throughout the campaign and electoral process. She urged them to respect the campaign ethics.

Sambujang Jagne, IEC director of operations and Maudo Suso, IEC regional electoral officer in Janjangbureh, were also present on the ground. Subsequently, a statement from the Independent Electoral Commission to the press, signed by Malleh J Sallah, the commission's vice chairman, indicates that the nomination of the two candidates had been endorsed by the country's electoral body.

''In accordance with Section 52 of Decree 78 of 1996, Mr Abdoulie Jallow has been nominated through the NRP party for the position of National Assembly member for the Nianija constituency in the Jangjangbureh administrative area. For the same constituency, Mr Yaya Whan has also been duly nominated through the APRC party for the position of National Assembly member,'' the  release concluded.