By Omar Bah
The main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) yesterday accused authorities of systematically denying it access to the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, describing the repeated refusals as a troubling sign of political bias that threatens a level playing field ahead of the 2026 presidential election.
According to the party its first request to hire the facility in February 2026, for a national retreat, was rebuffed verbally with an explanation that the venue had ceased renting to political parties.
The UDP said this reason was contradicted when the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) later held its manifesto launch at the same venue in June.
“The double standard is blatant,” a UDP statement said. “If the conference centre can host the NPP, there is no legitimate basis to bar the UDP from using the facility.”
In a fresh complait, the UDP said it applied again to use the facility for its 30th anniversary celebrations and received a written refusal citing unspecified “technical difficulties” affecting the dates requested.
The party insists the dispute is not about a single venue or an isolated incident but about access to public facilities and the basic fairness of the electoral environment.
“Free and fair elections require more than registration and ballots,” the UDP said, adding that free elections require equitable access to public spaces, media and information so that voters can make informed choices.”
The UDP also raised alarm about difficulties opposition parties face when seeking access to public broadcast platforms, naming the Gambia Radio and Television Service (GRTS) among outlets where, it says, equal airtime and opportunity are not guaranteed.
The UDP called on the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), civil society, media organisations and the public to scrutinise patterns of access and treatment of political parties, urging institutions to enforce impartiality and to ensure that public facilities and media platforms are available without discrimination.
The UDP said it remains committed to peaceful, constitutional politics and will pursue lawful channels to challenge what it says are violations of democratic principles. “We will continue to hold authorities to account whenever equality, fairness and democratic competition are undermined,” the party added.
The IEC and management of the Sir Dawda Kairaba International Conference Centre have not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication. GRTS management said they will revert to us on the UDP’s allegations.