Electoral system for the president

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA, 1997 (as Amended to 2018)

48. The Poll on an election

(1) Subject to subsection (4), a poll shall be taken on the day, or days, appointed for the election of a President notwithstanding that there may be only one candidate nominated for election.

(2) Where a nominated candidate dies between nomination day and polling day, the Independent Electoral Commission shall appoint a new nomination day and, if necessary, a new day or days for the election.

(3) No person shall be elected as President on a first ballot unless he or she receives the highest number of votes validly cast at the election. [Act No. 12 of 2003.]

(4) If, at close of nomination only one candidate is nominated, he or she shall be declared to have been duly elected as President. [Act No. 12 of 2003.]

(5) If, on the first ballot, where there are two or more candidates, there is an equality of the highest number of votes between candidates, a second ballot shall be held not later than fourteen days between the candidates who received the highest number of votes. [Act No. 12 of 2003.]

(6) On a second ballot, the candidate who receives the highest number of votes shall be declared to have been duly elected President.

Amendment to the Constitution in 2003 introduced plurality system.