Civil society groups warn against internet shutdowns ahead of 2026 Gambian elections

Civil society organisations have called on the Gambian government, electoral authorities, and telecommunications operators to ensure uninterrupted internet access during the country’s 2026 general elections, warning that any shutdown could undermine democratic participation and transparency.

The appeal was made in a joint communique issued by Paradigm Initiative and 12 other civil society organisations during the Digital Rights and Elections in Africa Monitor (DREAM) engagement held in Banjul on Wednesday.

The engagement, organised by Paradigm Initiative in partnership with Give1Project Gambia, brought together civil society actors, journalists, and researchers to examine digital threats that often arise during elections, including internet shutdowns, data protection concerns, biometric surveillance, arbitrary data seizures, and the spread of disinformation and deepfakes.

In the communique, the organisations urged all relevant stakeholders to uphold an open, secure, and accessible digital environment throughout the electoral period, stressing that citizens must be able to freely access information and participate in the democratic process without interference.

Speaking at the event, Muhammed Bello Buhari, Programmes Officer at Paradigm Initiative, warned that restricting internet access during elections would have serious implications for democracy.

“An internet shutdown during an election is not just a technical disruption; it is a direct assault on the democratic process and transparency,” Buhari said. “Through this communiqué, civil society in The Gambia is sending a unified message to all duty bearers: we are actively monitoring the digital landscape, and we will not accept any form of digital authoritarianism in 2026.”

The groups noted that their advocacy is anchored in constitutional protections under Chapter IV of The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution, as well as the Personal Data Protection and Privacy Act (2025), and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Resolution 580 on internet shutdowns and elections.

They further pledged to intensify monitoring of the digital space throughout the electoral cycle, using Paradigm Initiative’s Digital Rights and Elections in Africa Monitor Toolkit and the Ripoti platform to document and report any attempts to disrupt digital access or interfere with the electoral process.

The organisations said their goal is to safeguard digital rights and ensure transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation in the 2026 elections.