The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has rejected the nomination submission of Dr Ismaila Ceesay, leader of the Citizens Alliance (CA) party, despite a high court ruling. 

Dr Ceesay’s submission was rejected the first time by the IEC for failing to submit 200 registered voters in Banjul but the party challenged it at the high court and won. 

The court found that the IEC had acted illegally in rejecting his nomination submission. 

The party then submitted a fresh nomination papers which was rejected again by the IEC. 

In a statement, the Citizens Alliance party said: “In compliance with the court order, CA submitted fresh nomination forms with 331 signatures from the Banjul Administrative Area to the IEC on 25th November 2021. 

“On 26th November, CA received a response from the IEC rejecting the additional signatures thereby failing to comply with the High Court order. This action constitutes contempt of court.

“We strongly urge the IEC to stop threading on this self-destructive path and follow the path of the rule of law. The IEC is expected to operate within the framework, spirit and substance of the law and should always be guided by the principle of fairness, equity and transparency. 

“However, for all intents and purposes, CA finds the actions of the IEC to be in blatant disregard of the court order and is of the belief that the Commission is bent on frustrating the party’s bid to contest the 2021 election. The IEC, as confirmed by the High Court’s ruling, flagrantly violated the Election Act and failed to follow their own law (Decree 78, Election Act).” 

“Therefore, their continued attempt to deprive CA’s presidential candidate’s rights to run for election is deemed to be premeditated and based on ill-will. The discriminatory and exclusionary manner the IEC has handled the nomination process have depleted the little trust the party had in the former’s ability to conduct a free and fair election,” it added.

The IEC has been contacted for comment.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba