Brikama and Kanifing Voter Register © Askanwi Media
By Edward Dalliah, Jr. and Haddy Ceesay
As the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced the total voter registration ahead of the December presidential election, our analysis of the data reveals that Brikama and Kanifing account for more than half of the country’s registered electorate, with the two administrative areas jointly holding 647,457 of the 1,146,474 registered voters.
The figure represents approximately 56.5% of the national voter register, making the two areas particularly significant in the country's electoral landscape as political campaigns gather momentum. Brikama alone accounts for 38% of registered voters nationwide, while Kanifing contributes another 18%.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, 2nd November 2026, IEC Chairman Joseph Colley disclosed that “the total number of voters contained in the master register and master supplementary… stands at 1,146,474 voters.” He added that “these registers will be used for the upcoming presidential elections and other foreseeable elections.”
Increase in Voter Register 2021 v 2026 © Askanwi Media
Our analysis of the register across the country's seven administrative areas shows that Brikama has the largest concentration of registered voters, followed by Kanifing. Compared with the 2021 presidential election, Brikama's register grew by 21.6%, recording the largest numerical increase of any administrative area. Kanifing followed with a 17.0% increase.
Together, the two areas added 108,206 registered voters since 2021, accounting for nearly 59% of the national increase. In the 2021 presidential election, which secured President Adama Barrow a second term, he received 43.78% of the vote in Brikama and 49.67% in Kanifing, leading both administrative areas.
Those results provide a historical picture of his performance during the last presidential election. However, the political landscape has since evolved, with new political parties and movements, including the UNITE party, entering the race, and shifting political alliances adding new dynamics ahead of the December 2026 polls.
Kanifing and Brikama 2021 Presidential Elections Results © Askanwi Media
But with Brikama and Kanifing together accounting for more than half of the country's registered voters, their electoral participation will be an important feature of the forthcoming election. Meanwhile, the remaining five administrative areas collectively account for approximately 43.5% of registered voters nationwide.
Beyond the concentration of voters in Brikama and Kanifing, the figures also reveal differences in how the electorate has expanded across the country. Although Brikama recorded the largest numerical increase, Mansakonko registered the second-highest growth rate, with its voter register expanding by 21% since 2021.
Basse followed with 19% growth, while Janjanbureh recorded an 18% increase. Kanifing's register grew by 17%, while Kerewan and Banjul recorded the lowest increases, at 16% each. Overall, all seven administrative areas recorded growth, contributing to a 19% expansion of the national voter register over five years.
With the December election approaching, the expanded register presents a larger electorate for political parties and candidates to engage. However, an increase in registered voters does not automatically translate into higher turnout.
The question now is how many of the registered voters, particularly in the country's two largest electoral areas, will turn up at the polls, this will only be known after 5th December.
