Mr Ousainou Darboe, the UDP/NRP/GPDP alliance flag bearer, has asserted that the political battle has just begun and that they will continue to fight until victory is achieved. Addressing a press conference witnessed by party supporters, sympathises and other observers on Sunday in his Kairaba Avenue residence, Mr. Darboe said: “This war will not be fought physically, but through the ballot,” adding that the war is far from over.

According to Mr. Darboe the 2006 presidential elections marks the beginning of the political battle in the strive to restore democaracy in the country by ousting the APRC government through the polls. Mr. Darboe called on the alliance supporters to remain steadfast and calm in the fighting the battle to get rid of Jammeh’s government. “Losing this battle is not the end of the war,” he told supporters, while assuring them of victory in the future.

Giving his views on the outcome of the elections, Mr. Darboe ascribed the “announced” defeat of the opposition to what he called a series of arrests, detentions, harassments and the intimidation of opposition supporters, as well as other tactics employed by the ruling APRC party. For his part, Mr Hamat Bah, an executive member of the UDP/NRP/GPDP alliance, alleged that the increase in the number of polling stations by the IEC was meant to pinpoint where the opposition have larger support, in order to give the authorities the chance to play tricks on the opposition so as to prevent them from voting freely.

Meanwhile Mr Bah, on behalf of the Alliance’s Chairman, thanked all party supporters for their determination and support throughout the campaign period, and wished them a blessed Ramadan.