Gambians vote in first post-Jammeh poll

Gambians voted today in the first election since longtime leader Yahya Jammeh left power, with opposition parties set to gain seats after being left in the cold for years during what was tantamount to one-party rule.
More than 880,000 Gambians are eligible to vote and polls are open until 5.00 pm, with many voters relishing the chance to express varied political opinions after 22 years under Jammeh.
"The only way Gambians can consolidate our newfound democracy is for people to ensure they elect competent individuals that will represent them in parliament and help in making the government's reform agenda a reality," said Fatou Suwareh, who was waiting in line to vote on the outskirts of Banjul.

The first results are expected during the evening and a full set by tomorrow.
The election is a key test for several former opposition parties that united to form the coalition in December to oust Jammeh from power and deliver flag bearer Adama Barrow to victory as the new president.
Internal tensions mean those parties are not running together in today's legislative elections, and some voters expressed anger that the organisations involved had not been able to present a united front.

Posing a threat is the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), a youth-led party which did not join the governing coalition whose leader Mama Kandeh came third in last year's presidential vote.

"The coalition was my party but when things started falling apart with them, everyone has to go to their party," said Yaisa Jawara, casting her vote at a roadside polling station near the capital, Banjul, who chose the GDC as a protest vote.
"They (GDC) are not very experienced but they are willing to work with the government," she added.
Barrow attempted to shrug off accusations that his coalition was permanently damaged by infighting, which at times has broken out into the open in Gambian media.
"There is no (cabinet) split, this is about democracy and this is the new Gambia," he said after casting his vote.