The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of The Gambia, established under the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, is mandated to conduct and supervise public elections and referenda, register voters, determine electoral procedures, and undertake all activities necessary for the administration of democratic elections. As part of preparations for the 2026 Presidential Election and the broader 2026–2027 electoral cycle, the IEC has identified the need to further strengthen the technical and operational capacities of its personnel and selected electoral stakeholders to effectively respond to emerging electoral challenges and deliver elections in accordance with national, regional, and international standards.

Against a backdrop of evolving electoral challenges, including increasing public expectations, technological advancements, information integrity risks, and the need for greater inclusivity and transparency, continuous professional development of electoral practitioners remains essential. Without sustained capacity-building, electoral institutions risk inconsistencies in the application of electoral procedures, reduced operational efficiency, and diminished public confidence in the electoral process. Strengthening the knowledge and competencies of electoral officials is therefore critical to enhancing institutional preparedness, safeguarding electoral integrity, and promoting peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections.

In preparation for these electoral activities, the IEC submitted a request for capacity-building support through ECONEC, highlighting priority areas requiring institutional strengthening. Following consultations between the IEC, ECONEC, and the EPSG Project, it was agreed that a BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections) training programme would provide the most appropriate framework for addressing these needs.

BRIDGE is the globally recognised professional development programme for electoral practitioners and has been widely used by Electoral Management Bodies around the world to strengthen knowledge, skills, and professional standards in election administration. The methodology promotes peer learning, practical application, participatory training techniques, and the sharing of comparative experiences from different electoral contexts. By equipping electoral practitioners with internationally recognised good practices while adapting learning to national realities, the programme contributes to more consistent decision-making, strengthened institutional performance, and greater public confidence in electoral processes.

One thematic of the capacity-building programme will focus on inclusive and Stakeholder-Centred Elections

To accommodate the operational realities of the IEC during a critical electoral period, the training programme will be delivered through three staggered modules between August and September 2026, allowing participants sufficient time to absorb, apply, and cascade knowledge while maintaining their ongoing electoral responsibilities