The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (CoPG) has announced plans to mobilize a protest against the National Assembly’s decision to reject diaspora voting in The Gambia’s Election Bill of 2021. The group asserts that this decision is unconstitutional and undermines the rights of Gambians living abroad.
In a statement released on March 9, 2025, CoPG expressed disappointment over what it described as a failure by lawmakers to uphold the fundamental rights of Gambians. The group referenced a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the right of Gambians abroad to vote, as outlined in Section 39 of the 1997 Constitution.
CoPG further criticized the National Assembly’s decision, calling it an act of discrimination that violates Section 33 of the Constitution, which guarantees equal rights for all citizens. The group also pointed to Section 26, which provides for political rights, arguing that the decision effectively disenfranchises thousands of Gambians living abroad.
The coalition emphasized the economic contributions of the Gambian diaspora, noting that remittances in 2024 exceeded $775 million (D56 billion), representing more than 31 percent of the country’s GDP. They claimed that denying these individuals voting rights disregards their significant role in national development.
CoPG has called on President Adama Barrow not to sign the Bill into law unless provisions for diaspora voting are reinstated. The group urged civil society organizations, political actors, donor agencies, and religious and community leaders to join the efforts to advocate for the inclusion of Gambians abroad in the electoral process.
Additionally, the statement criticized the government’s handling of judicial decisions, referencing an Afrobarometer survey that indicated many Gambians perceive the judiciary as lacking independence. CoPG accused the administration of failing to respect court rulings, including the Supreme Court’s 2021 decision regarding diaspora voting.
In response to the National Assembly’s decision, the coalition announced plans to organize protests both at home and abroad. They encouraged Gambians in the diaspora to mobilize and highlight what they view as a lack of political will to uphold constitutional rights.
