Gambia holds its presidential election on 5 Dec 2026. This page sets out what the vote decides, who runs it, how the last one went and who holds office today.
What is being decided
- The head of state. Adama Barrow has been head of state since 19 Jan 2022.
Note from the source: Official IEC electoral calendar 2026-2027.
Who runs the election
The vote is run by Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
The last result
The last national election in our sources was held on 9 Apr 2022.
National elections in our Gambia file
| Date | Election | Status | Winner | Turnout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Apr 2027 | Parliamentary election | scheduled | - | - |
| 5 Dec 2026 | Presidential election | scheduled | - | - |
Who holds office now
| Office | Holder | In office since | How chosen | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head of state | Adama Barrow | 19 Jan 2022 | - | - |
| Vice president | Mohammed B.S Jallow | - | - | - |
See the full Gambia government directory and the Africa election calendar.
Other national elections coming up
| Country | Election | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Cabo Verde | Presidential election | 15 Nov 2026 |
| South Sudan | General election | 22 Dec 2026 |
| Nigeria | General election | 16 Jan 2027 |
| Kenya | General election | 10 Aug 2027 |
Polling and research around the vote
PollsAfrica designs and runs opinion polls and household surveys across Africa, with the sample, dates, mode and weighting published for every release. If you need research in Gambia before or after this vote, see our research services or contact us.
Source: Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), 2026; CIA World Factbook, 2026; Office of the President, The Gambia, 2026. Method: how we compile this.