More than 2,000 people have attempted to register twice for voter cards, the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, Joseph Colley, has revealed, warning that such acts will not be tolerated.

Speaking at the Commission’s monthly stakeholder forum on Thursday, Colley described double registration as a clear violation of electoral laws in The Gambia.

“We identified over 2,000 cases of double registration despite our massive voter education and sensitisation efforts,” he said.

The forum, which followed an earlier engagement in March, brought together stakeholders for what the IEC described as “frank and constructive” discussions aimed at strengthening transparency and trust in the electoral process.

Colley said the ongoing supplementary voter registration exercise, which began on 8 April, has attracted significant public participation. The exercise allows new voters to register, as well as the replacement of lost or damaged voter cards and transfers between regions and constituencies.

“The Supplementary Voter Registration is being conducted in a very open and transparent manner,” he said, noting that civil society groups, media organisations and political parties have been granted access to monitor the process.

Despite the progress, the IEC chairman acknowledged operational challenges, including faulty printer heads in some centres and technical issues involving installation dates by a few registration teams.

“These problems were identified and remedial efforts were immediately taken to correct them,” he said.

He also warned against political interference, saying such actions risk undermining the credibility of the process.

Colley urged citizens and stakeholders to comply with electoral laws and respect the authority of the Commission, stressing that safeguarding the integrity of the voter register is essential to ensuring free and fair elections.

By Adama Makasuba