Fifty-three of the 114 wards have been conceded by the UDP, NRP, and NADD opposition to the ruling APRC ahead of the local government elections on January 24.

This leaves 61 contestable wards across the country, in all of which the APRC has fielded candidates. Candidates for the opposition groupings and independents are also warming up ahead of the start of campaigns on Wednesday, January 9.

Confirming this at a press conference yesterday, the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) described the nomination process as successful. Alhaji Mustapha Carayol called on every Gambian to do everything humanly possible to ensure peaceful elections.

He then elaborated: "APRC has put up candidates in all the 114 wards. NADD has 4 candidates, NRP has 11 and UDP 29.  There are 21 independent candidates. All the independent candidates will use black colour. The second independent candidates in each ward will use red colour".

He appealed to all players in the political arena and their supporters to comply with the Election Campaign Ethics. He quoted Section 90 of the 1996 Election Decree, saying "every candidate and political party involved in an election campaign shall: (a) respect the fundamental principles of the state as enshrined in the constitution; and (b) carry out his or its campaign in keeping with ethical and moral standards and respect due to the candidates and political parties, voters and the Gambian people".

"You are all advised to strictly hold fast to the legal prohibitions during election campaign. More importantly, uphold what we Gambians value more than any other thing; peaceful cohabitation," he said.

The IEC boss reminded the Gambian electorate that polls for this month's elections will open at 07:00 am and close at 04:00 pm.

He therefore advised all registered Gambians to come out and exercise their constitutional rights and vote for their candidates. While assuring the general public that all the required logistics and materials for the smooth conduct of the elections are in place, Mr Carayol used the opportunity to thank The Gambia government for fullfiling its financial responsibilities to the commission in an expedient manner.