Talib Ahmed Bensouda, leader of The Gambia's UNITE Party, has submitted his nomination papers for the country's presidential election on 5 December, setting up a legal and political contest over whether he is eligible to stand.

Bensouda, the former mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, arrived at the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on Saturday at 11am, accompanied by party officials and supporters, with just 30 minutes remaining before the nomination deadline. He presented all 16 credentials required for nomination, and his submission now awaits the Commission's decision on his eligibility.

Speaking after the submission, his brother and lawyer, Aziz Bensouda, expressed confidence in their legal position. "We are comfortable and we are more than hopeful. The law is very clear," he said.

The nomination comes amid an unresolved dispute over adverse findings made against Bensouda by the Local Government Commission of Inquiry, which investigated the administration and financial management of local councils. The government accepted the findings against the former mayor and endorsed recommendations for further investigations and a forensic audit. The findings included concerns over expenditure authorisations, recruitment and procurement practices at the council.

The findings have raised questions about Bensouda's eligibility under Section 62(3)(c) of the 1997 Constitution, which disqualifies a person from contesting the presidency if, while holding public office, they have been found liable for misconduct, negligence, corruption or improper behaviour by a commission or committee of inquiry established by law.

Bensouda has challenged the adverse finding at the Court of Appeal. In a letter issued on 5 November, President Adama Barrow confirmed that Bensouda filed a notice of appeal on 24 June 2026, contesting the finding communicated to him on 12 May. The appeal seeks to have the finding set aside, with Bensouda arguing that the Commission failed to identify the specific expenditure involved, establish the legal basis for its conclusion and provide adequate reasons for its determination.

Barrow maintained in his letter that the Government White Paper on the inquiry is neither a court judgment nor a determination of anyone's eligibility to contest the presidency. He said the validity, scope and effect of the adverse finding are matters before the Court of Appeal, adding that determining presidential qualification falls within the IEC's mandate, subject to the jurisdiction of the courts. He also said no surcharge, demand or enforcement action had been taken against Bensouda.

Bensouda himself has insisted that the inquiry findings do not bar him from the race. "My candidacy is not affected at all by the government White Paper. I am in no way disqualified and, inshallah, the IEC will do the needful and I will be on the ballot," he told journalists after filing his papers.

His party, UNITE, has rejected the allegations as a "last-minute political manoeuvre intended to confuse the public" ahead of nominations, arguing that the governing National People's Party fears losing the election.

Bensouda announced his resignation as mayor with effect from 6 November, ending eight years and five months in office. UNITE said the resignation was intended to satisfy the constitutional requirements for contesting the presidency. During Saturday's nomination proceedings, the IEC indicated that it had a response concerning Bensouda's departure from the mayoral position, although it had not been read out at the time of reporting.

Presenting his policy direction, Bensouda said his party had developed a 66-point agenda aimed at transforming the country, with ending poverty within ten years identified as its central objective.

During his eight years as mayor of Kanifing Municipality, Bensouda built a loyal following by implementing regular waste collection. His political standing has continued to rise as the small West African nation faces prolonged electricity blackouts, which have led to protests and calls for Barrow to step down.

The presidential election is scheduled for 5 December, when Barrow will be running for a third term. While the list of election nominees has not yet been made official, leading opposition candidate Ousainou Darboe of the United Democratic Party, who ran against Barrow in 2021, has also said he will run.

The IEC's determination and the eventual outcome of the appeal could prove decisive in determining whether Bensouda can proceed with his presidential bid.