Innovative Voting Method in Gambia Cuts Costs, Curbs Fraud

News Desk

Islamabad: Gambia, situated in West Africa, stands out as the sole nation globally where elections are conducted using ballot boxes.

The voting method employing pebbles is not only distinctive but also minimizes the likelihood of electoral fraud.

Moreover, this approach proves highly cost-effective, as it obviates the need for frequent printing of ballot papers, instead employing reusable drums and shells.

The Gambian government embraced this voting method to accommodate its illiterate voters, who may struggle to read or understand the symbols on traditional ballot papers.This innovative approach entails the use of metal drums and marbles, known locally as “kanche” which are painted in distinct colors for clarity and ease of use.

In the voting process in Gambia, candidates’ pictures are affixed to drums of various colors, and voters indicate their choice by placing a coin in the drum corresponding to their preferred candidate.

Each drum is equipped with a bell that chimes upon the insertion of a marble. If the bell rings more than once, it alerts staff to a potential violation of the rules, ensuring the integrity of the voting process.