By Mori Ning Kalaa

Opposition United Democratic Party leader Ousainou Darboe has again publicly rejected last November presidential polls as fraudulent and unrealistic.

And not much unlike Mathew K. Jallow's analysis published just a few months before the polls; The Gambia: Independent Electoral Commission’s fuzzy math and impossible numbers, the UDP leader speaking at a political rally in Serrekunda on January 21, charged that the number of registered voters was inflated by the incumbent to rig the elections in advance. Mr Darboe alleged that more than 300,000 non-Gambians were registered to vote.

“ In 2006 there were 129,140 registered voters in the KMC area. But on November 24, 2011, there were 187, 757 voters in the same area; this figure is increased by 40%. In Brikama area in 2006, registered voters stood at 163, 000, whiles today there are 252,000 registered voters. This is unimaginable! The number is increased by 90%. In Kombo North constituency in 2006, there were 57,000 registered voters, but that record has reached 110,000; meaning it was increased by 90%", Mr Darboe said.

The UDP leader also lambasted the electoral commission for registering people who did not have necessary documentation to vote.

Mr Darboe however made no mention of challenging the results in court.

He however called on Gambians to have persistence and perseverance: "We have seen what is happening in Burma where democracy is coming up. This is a country that has fought for democracy for more than 50 years, and we have only done it for 17 years. I am sure we will have to change President Jammeh whether I will live to witness that or not, and whether Jammeh likes it or not, one day he will have to go".

Mr Darboe told the rally that the UDP will contest the March parliamentary elections