President Yahya Jammeh, APRC candidate for September 22nd Presidential elections, has been re-elected as President of The Gambia, after obtaining 264,404 votes - 67.33 per cent of the overall votes.

Alhaji Mustapha Carayol, Chairman of IEC and Returning Officer for the September 22nd Presidential elections, confirmed President Jammeh’s landslide victory on Saturday afternoon. The APRC-backed candidate swept 47 of the 48 constituencies, including some opposition strongholds, such as Bakau and Jarra constituencies.

The leader of the opposition UDP, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe received a total of 104,808 (26.69 per cent) votes across the country, and Hon Halifa Sallah of NADD, got 23,473 (5.98 per cent) votes. The opposition UDP/NRP/GPDP alliance candidate had 3,133 votes - equivalent to 58.54 per cent which enabled him to retain Kiang West Constituency. Hon Halifa Sallah, lost in all the 48 constituencies, including Serrekunda Central, which he represents at the National Assembly.

A total of 392,685 votes out of 670,336 were cast, representing a turnout of 58.58 per cent. In Banjul, President Jammeh gained 7,908 votes, representing 69.09 per cent, while Mr Ousainou Darboe pulled out 2,739 votes, and Hon Halifa Sallah, received 799 votes. Jammeh then maintained the lead in Kanifing Municipality, where he pulled out 47,490 votes (63,75 per cent); Ousainou Darboe got 21,496 votes (28.86 per cent); and Hon Sallah received 5,503 votes (7.39 per cent).

In Brikama, President Jammeh widened the gap, when he pulled out 77,831 votes (74.38 per cent). Mr Ousainou Darboe polled 23,147 votes (22.12 per cent), while Hon Sallah received 3,655 votes (3.49 per cent). The run-up for victory was nearing certainty, when the APRC party sponsored candidate received 40,733 votes (74.98 per cent) in Kerewan, North Bank Region. The UDP/NRP/GPDP -backed candidate, Ousainou Darboe, clinched 10,833 votes (19.94 per cent), and Hon Sallah of NADD received 2,761 votes (5.08 per cent).

At Mansakonko in Lower River Region, President Jammeh swept 16,199 votes (56.31 per cent); Mr Ousainou Darboes got 11,974 votes (41.63 per cent); and Hon Halifa Sallah polled 592 votes (2.06 per cent). As the results continued to flood into the IEC Headquarters on Kairaba Avenue, President Jammeh extended the lead at Janjangbureh in Central River Region, after he polled 38,234 votes, representing 62.94 per cent. Mr Ousanou Darboe, pulled out 19,527 votes (32.15 per cent, while NADD’s, Halifa Sallah got 2,983 votes (4.91 per cent).

Jammeh’s victory became glaringly apparent in Basse, Upper River Region, after he polled 36,009 votes (61.79 per cent); Lawyer Ousainou Darboe received 15,092 votes (25.90 per cent); while Hon Halifa Sallah, pulled out 7,180 (5.98 per cent). International and local observers, including the Commonwealth, the West African Civil Society Forum, and the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in The Gambia, have repeatedly expressed satisfaction with the turnout to the polls.

This is the third consecutive victory by the APRC party in the presidential elections, since October 1996. Tens of thousands of Gambians, recieved the announcement of the results with tides of jubilation, as the APRC party maintained its consistent lead to victory. Many ended up in Banjul, where a grand victory celebration was organised.

Fireworks added to the spectacular celebration, that was simultaneously punctuated with music at July 22nd Square, State House gate, and the beach behind the State House. Supporters of the ruling party were abundantly provided for.