Essa Faal Backtracks and Accepted Election Results

Essa Mbye Faal an Independent Candidate, on the Gambia Presidential Election has accepted defeat, backtracking from his earlier announcement that he would reject the results because of alleged problems at polling stations and other issues.

“I have called Adama Barrow for his electoral victory,” he said, without explaining his change of heart. “I told my supporters that we have lost the elections and we should accept the will of God.”

The two remaining hold-out candidates, Mama Kandeh of the  Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) and Ouasnu Darboe of the United Democratic Party (
UDP) have not said how they will proceed. They have cited allegations of problems at polling stations and other issues and said on Sunday that “all actions are on the table.”

Election observers from the African Union said the election was conducted in line with international standards, while EU observers praised the transparency of the voting and counting process.