Operations and Results management

Strengthening Electoral Operations and Results Management in The Gambia

From 21 to 25 September 2026, electoral stakeholders gathered in Soma, The Gambia, for a five-day BRIDGE workshop on Electoral Operations and Results Management, ahead of the 5 December 2026 presidential election.

The workshop was supported by GIZ and organised in collaboration with the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division, ECONEC and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of The Gambia). It was facilitated by experienced BRIDGE facilitators from the Gorée Institute.

The training focused on strengthening participants’ practical knowledge and readiness in key areas of electoral operations, including polling-station procedures, logistics, coordination, election-day management, results management, risk mitigation and stakeholder communication.

A strong emphasis was placed on practical learning. Participants worked through case studies, group exercises and increasingly complex simulations, including an integrated Election Day Crisis Simulation involving multiple incidents requiring rapid decision-making, coordination and problem-solving.

The workshop also connected the practical aspects of election administration with the Gambia Elections Act 2025 and the national electoral framework, while taking into account the country’s distinctive marble-based voting system.

Using the learner-centred BRIDGE methodology, the workshop created an environment for participants to share experiences, test solutions and strengthen their capacity to respond effectively to operational challenges.

Participants demonstrated strong engagement throughout the five days, and the daily evaluations reflected a high level of satisfaction with the training, its practical approach and its relevance to their responsibilities.

The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to continued preparedness, professional electoral administration and effective coordination among electoral stakeholders as The Gambia moves towards the 5 December 2026 presidential election.

The BRIDGE workshop contributed to strengthening practical capacity for credible, inclusive and well-managed electoral operations in The Gambia.