Salieu Jallow’s Presidential Bid Hits a Paperwork Hurdle on Nomination Day

Salieu Jallow entered Gambia’s presidential nomination process with an unfinished list of requirements, after election officials referred him back to complete key paperwork, according to the report. The independent aspirant filed his nomination on the first day of proceedings, but did not provide all the documents the Independent Electoral Commission required. Among the outstanding items were proof of the mandatory one-million-dalasi deposit, a fully signed nomination form, a notarised declaration of assets and a campaign itinerary. Jallow said the deposit issue stemmed from a misunderstanding: he expected to receive a bank slip from the commission so he could make the payment, rather than arriving with the money already paid. He told journalists that the payment would be made. Jallow described himself as self-employed and said he runs his own business. He also presented himself as a candidate for what he called the “struggling class,” seeking to distinguish his campaign through its focus on people facing economic hardship. The same day brought a similar paperwork setback for Progressive Citizens leader Modou Lamin Sima, who also filed nomination papers. Sima said he had deposited the required amount but could not provide proof at the time. The commission asked him to bring original versions of citizenship and education documents, and to submit his asset declaration on the official form with notarisation. He said he would return with his original passport and certificates. Meanwhile, All Inclusive Party leader Yiramba Darboe withdrew from the presidential race, making for a first day marked by both incomplete filings and a departure from the contest. The report did not say whether Jallow later supplied the missing documents or whether the commission accepted his nomination.