Gambia blocks internet on election day

Gambia Government has shut down internet hours into national elections to elect a new president.

The country’s telecom giant, Gamtel’s international gateway system was shut down by the government in a way to control information and render people less active online.

The shutdown has affected all the four GSM companies in the country who also provide internet service for mobile devices.

Notices were not given by the telecommunication service providers.

Hours before a crucial presidential election, #Gambia shuts down internet and overseas telephone calls. It has… https://t.co/VZXclYutmu

— Umaru Fofana (@UmaruFofana) December 1, 2016

Media reports say it’s an attempt by the Yahya Jammeh administration to frustrate people and rig the elections.

The development has triggered widespread condemnation.

Yahya Jammeh shuts down d internet, international calls, & closed #Gambia borders on eve of election. Rigging began before the first vote!

— Adeola Fayehun (@AdeolaFayehun) December 1, 2016

Jammeh faces off against Adama Barrow, a former businessman and United Democratic Party leader, who emerged as the candidate for an alliance of eight opposition parties as well as Mama Kandeh who is running on the ticket of the Gambia Democratic Congress.

Some 886, 578 voters are expected to vote. In all, some 1,422 polling stations in 53 constituencies in the seven administrative regions of The Gambia will be used for the voting process.

Voting commenced about 7am on Thursday morning.