The European Union’s Chief Observer, Reinhold Lopatka, has warned that the growing influence of social media could pose challenges to peaceful elections in The Gambia, particularly through the spread of hate speech.

Mr Lopatka said social media had made it easier for individuals and political actors to spread inflammatory messages, making it increasingly important for electoral stakeholders to remain alert to developments that could trigger tensions and violence.

He made the remarks during a question-and-answer session at the launch of the European Union Election Observation Mission for The Gambia’s December 5, 2026 presidential election, held at Ocean Bay Hotel in Bakau.

Responding to concerns about electoral violence and the effectiveness of international election observation, Mr Lopatka said preventing violence required collective responsibility from political leaders, government institutions, security agencies and the Independent Electoral Commission.

“The most important thing is to do everything to have peaceful elections and to be on alert when there could be any kind of violence,” he said.

He explained that the EU mission would assess the electoral process before election day, during voting and afterwards, before producing a report containing recommendations for improving electoral standards.

Mr Lopatka, who said he had observed elections in 50 countries, noted that the changing media environment had introduced new challenges to democratic processes.

He recalled that when he began his political career in 1986, social media did not play a role in elections, but said its influence had since become significant, bringing both opportunities and challenges.

The Chief Observer also emphasised the importance of media freedom, saying journalists should be allowed to carry out their work while voters should have the opportunity to freely choose their representatives.

He said the EU mission would monitor traditional and online media, including television and social media platforms, as part of its assessment of the election.

The mission has deployed 16 long-term observers across the country, with additional short-term observers expected to arrive shortly before election day.

By Adama Makasuba