Incumbent Gambian president, Adama Barrow, has expressed confidence in ‘his victory’ in the ongoing election.
Barrow, speaking to journalists shortly after voting at Macarthy Square polling station on Saturday, said he would never lose the election.
The current president, whose possible victory is being challenged by five other candidates, arrived at the polling station some minutes after 11 a.m.
Upon arrival, he cast his vote and emerged to speak to journalists, thereafter.
“We will never lose this election,” he said when asked about his chances. “It will be the biggest landslide victory in the history of election in this country. I enjoy unprecedented support in this country.
“You have been following my campaign and my campaign was very successful and the message was very clear. I am a leader who is focused on development and that development will continue in the country.
“I know in the next 24 hours, my people will be celebrating in the streets,” he added.
Expressing delight at the huge turnout of voters, Mr Barrow charged the Independent Electoral Commision (IEC) to conduct a free and fair election.
“My advice to IEC; they should remain neutral. If they are neutral, it makes it very easy for all of us the players and if they are neutral, it makes it easy for people to accept the final result. They are the ones conducting the election, let them conduct free, fair, transparent election,” he said.
Barrow, who came to power in 2017 after the former president, Yahya Jammeh, left The Gambia to go on exile, is contesting against five other candidates.
The elections, which opened by 8 a.m. has been largely peaceful and is witnessing a significant turnout of voters.
Meanwhile, the leading opposition candidate in the election, Ousainou Darboe, has urged supporters to desist from actions that could harm the country.
Darboe, who appeared at his polling booth in a rollator walker, warned that any provocative action could drive away tourists.
There have been concerns over Mr Darboe’s health in recent weeks.
On Saturday, the 73-year-old opposition leader walked slowly to the polling booth, supported by his aides and associates.
“I have cast my vote; thanks to God for giving me life to witness today,” he said.
“I want to be thankful to the government for giving me a 32-man contingent to provide the security all throughout my campaign.
Darboe appears in rollator walker, urges supporters not to drive away tourists
Darboe appears in rollator walker, urges supporters not to drive away tourists
“What I would implore to every Gambian is to stay calm. No one should engage in the act of provocation, whether by conduct or by words. If we do so, we would destabilise our country.
“We will be giving an opportunity to anarchists to take this country into chaos. Remember we are in the tourist season. The slightest disturbance in this country would drive away all the tourists, and that would lead to the laying of several of our young men who are working in this industry.
“We are talking about youth unemployment, so we should not do anything that would jeopardise the situation of those who are already in.”
The opposition leader also said that there would be no winner or loser in the election.
“Please let’s keep our cool and whoever wins celebrate and whoever loses commiserate but I do not think there will be winners and losers in this election,” he said.
Darboe arrived at the polling booth about 11:40 a.m., amid high expectations from supporters and aides.