As The Gambia prepares for its presidential election on December 5, 2026, the country’s political landscape is entering one of its most closely watched electoral contests since the end of former President Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule, following his defeat in the December 2016 election.
The election will be the country’s third presidential poll since its democratic transition and is expected to test the strength of The Gambia’s democratic institutions, political alliances, and electoral system.
Incumbent President Adama Barrow is seeking another term under the National People’s Party (NPP), a decision that has drawn criticism from sections of the opposition, particularly over the stalled constitutional reform process and the absence of presidential term limits.
Meanwhile, opposition parties, new political movements, and established political figures are positioning themselves to challenge the incumbent.
The Gambia currently has 24 registered political parties, according to verified figures from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Why party colours and symbols matter
Unlike most countries that use paper ballots, The Gambia conducts elections using a distinctive marble voting system.
Voters cast a single marble into a metal drum representing their preferred candidate.
Each drum is wrapped in the candidate’s party colour and displays the candidate’s photograph and party symbol.
For this reason, party colours and symbols play a central role in voter identification and election campaigns.
Here are the major political parties expected to shape the 2026 election:
- Registered: December 31, 2019
- Leader: President Adama Barrow
- Colour: Dark gray
- Symbol: White Horse
The NPP was established after President Barrow parted ways with the United Democratic Party (UDP) following the 2016 Coalition.
Since forming the government, the party has built its campaign around infrastructure development, peace, and economic growth. It currently enjoys significant parliamentary representation through alliances with other political parties.
However, critics argue that the government’s inability to pass a new constitution and concerns over rising public debt remain major political challenges as the election approaches.
- Registered: August 23, 1996
- Leader: Ousainou Darboe
- Colour: Yellow
- Symbol: Graphic Emblem
The UDP is The Gambia’s largest opposition party. Founded during Yahya Jammeh’s rule, it has consistently campaigned on constitutional reform, democratic governance, and accountability.
Having finished second in the 2021 presidential election and maintained a strong presence across local governments, the UDP remains one of the strongest challengers to the ruling NPP.
Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC)
- Registered: May 11, 2016
- Leader: Mamma Kandeh
- Colour: Purple
- Symbol: Open calabash held with two palms
The GDC emerged shortly before the 2016 election and has positioned itself as an alternative to the country’s two dominant political blocs.
Its support base is strongest in parts of the Central River and Upper River regions, with policy priorities centred on agriculture, youth employment, and decentralisation.
Political observers also consider the GDC a potential coalition partner in the event of opposition alliances.
Unite for Nation Integrity Transformation and Equality (UNITE)
- Officially registered: 1st July 2026
- Leader: Talib Ahmed Bensouda
- Colour: One Horizontal Red Stripe, One Horizontal White Stripe, and One Horizontal Blue Stripe
- Symbol: Two Upward-Facing Palms Holding Cola Nuts
UNITE is the newest entrant into Gambian politics.
The party emerged from political developments within the UDP and is led by Kanifing Municipal Council Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda following his departure from the UDP.
It presents itself as a youth-focused and technocratic alternative, prioritising decentralised governance, digital economic reforms, infrastructure development, improved electricity and water supply, and job creation aimed at reducing irregular migration.
People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS)
- Registered: July 26, 1986
- Leader: Halifa Sallah
- Colour: Brown
- Symbol: Sun with sixteen rays
PDOIS is one of the country’s oldest political parties and is widely recognised for its emphasis on political education and ideological consistency.
The party advocates democratic socialism, economic self-reliance, poverty reduction, and institutional reforms.
Although it has limited parliamentary representation, it continues to influence public policy debates and civic engagement.
Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC)
- Registered: August 1996
- Leader: Fabakary Jatta (Interim)
- Founder: Former President Yahya Jammeh
- Colour: Green
- Symbol: Palm tree, a bird on top with an axe and spade cross on the tree
The APRC governed The Gambia from 1994 until Jammeh lost the election.
Following internal divisions after Jammeh’s exile, the party split into factions. The mainstream faction currently maintains a political alliance with President Barrow’s NPP.
While this alliance has strengthened the ruling coalition in parts of the country, it has also generated debate among victims’ groups seeking accountability for abuses committed during Jammeh’s administration.
People’s Progressive Party (PPP)
- Founded: 1959
- Leader: Kebba E. Jallow
- Colour: Hot pink
- Symbol: A cross-axis
The PPP is The Gambia’s oldest political party and led the country to independence under Sir Dawda Jawara.
Although its electoral influence has declined considerably since the 1994 military coup, the party continues to participate in national politics and is currently aligned with the ruling coalition.
Other registered political parties
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) recognises several other registered political parties and their leaders.
National Reconciliation Party (NRP) — Hamat Bah
Gambia Moral Congress (GMC) — Mai Ahmad Fatty
Citizens’ Alliance (CA) — Dr Ismaila Ceesay
National Union Party (NUP) — Abdoulie Ebrima Jammeh
Gambia Action Party (GAP) — Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly
Gambia Alliance for National Unity (GANU)—Sheikh Tijan Hydara
Gambia for All (GFA)—Bakary Bunja Dabo
Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress (GPDP)- Henry Gomez
Alliance for National Re-orientation and Development (ANRD)— Major General (Rtd) Lamin Satu Bojang, now deceased.
All People’s Party (APP)—Essa Mbye Faal
National Convention Party (NCP)—Abubacarr Kinteh
Alliance for Democratic and Development (ADD)—Malik Camara
People’s Alliance Party (PAP)—Ebrima Tabora Manneh
Democratic Party (DP)—Yusupha Dumbuya
Alliance for Progressive Citizens (APC)—Omar Tobb
Gambia People’s Advancement Party (GPAP)—Dr Papa Faal
All Inclusive Party (AIP)—Yiramang Darboe
How will the winner be decided?
The Gambia uses the first-past-the-post electoral system for presidential elections.
This means that the candidate who receives the most valid votes (marbles) is declared the winner. There is no second-round runoff, even if the winning candidate secures less than 50% total votes cast.
As a result, analysts believe the outcome may depend heavily on whether opposition parties unite behind a single candidate or contest the election separately.
Conclusion
The December 5, 2026, presidential election is shaping up to be one of The Gambia’s most consequential democratic contests since the country’s political transition in 2017.
Beyond choosing the country’s next president, the election will test political alliances, voter confidence in democratic institutions, and parties’ ability to persuade Gambians that their vision offers the best path for the country’s future.