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On February 8th, 2018, The Gambia rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations after having been apart from it for 5 years. Although it had originally joined in 1965, the move to rejoin was a full year in-the-making as the plan began in February 2017 before the formal re-application was filed on January 22, 2018. The application was unanimously accepted by the other 52-member states.
Electoral Services International Inc. (ESI) is proud to congratulate The Gambia on this accomplishment. ESI remains very close to its loyal partner, customer and friends at The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
ESI and the IEC joined forces not once, but twice in biometrically registering eligible voters for The Gambia’s two most recent democratic national elections. The ESI-trained IEC was able to provide their country with two up-to-date, accurate and reliable voters lists.
While ESI has served approximately 50% of the Commonwealth member states with its various electoral goods and services, this event marks the second time ESI has witnessed its partner and client rejoin the Commonwealth of Nations. Following its successful democratic 2014 general election that included the Fijian Elections Office employing ESI’s biometric voter registration (BVR) solution, Fiji rejoined the Commonwealth in the fall of 2014.
While ESI realizes that its BVR solution is not the only reason for these nation states rejoining the Commonwealth, it appreciates being part of the success story. It has been said that an accurate and reliable voters list is a pillar of a democratic election. ESI can help provide this deliverable.
Today belongs to The Gambia and of them we are proud.
Congratulations.
Electoral Services International Inc. (ESI)