The Chairman of the Gambian Electoral
Commission has fled the country following
threats to his life, his nephew said on
Tuesday.
Alieu Momar Njai had declared Adama Barrow
the winner of the Dec. 1 presidential election, but
President Yahya Jammeh has refused to
relinquish power, challenging the election results
in court.
Modou Njai told newsmen that his uncle had left
the country because of the threats.
“He was not willing to leave but the family
had to put pressure on him.
“I understand that he is currently outside
Gambia,’’ he said.
Security forces had earlier occupied the office of
the electoral commission and denied staff access
for weeks, but have since left the premises.
Barrow said on Monday that he would take
power on Jan. 19 as mandated by the
constitution, in spite of Jammeh’s court
challenge.
After over two decades in power, Jammeh, 51,
lost the election to Barrow, a former real estate
agent who was little known even in Gambia
before he announced his candidacy.
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