Gambia has its own homegrown solution to the problem of fraud and illiteracy at the ballot box: voting with marbles.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) displays three metal drums representing the presidential candidates.
Voters enter a private area that is curtained off where they drop a marble into one of the three drums that are painted with the party colours and emblems, and a bell rings confirming a vote has been cast.
“It’s unique and we are very proud of it,” said IEC vice-president Malleh Sallah, explaining how the Gambian Public Works department dreamt up the idea six decades ago.
Electoral officials say the system all but eliminates spoilt ballots and allows illiterate Gambians to vote more easily, while ensuring only one vote is cast per person.
Sawdust or sand is sprinkled on the bottom of the barrel so that no second sound is heard.
The country has around 880,000 eligible voters.
PNN
