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Gambia waits for election results Gambian president is re-elected
(1 day later)
People have voted in Gambia's presidential election, with polling extended because heavy rain prevented many from reaching polling stations. Gambian voters have re-elected President Yahya Jammeh for a third term with 67.3% of the vote, the country's electoral commission has said.
Voters used marbles to vote rather than ballot papers because many Gambians are illiterate, inserting a marble into the drum representing their candidate. Chairman Alhagie Mustapha Carayol announced the result and declared President Jammeh the winner of Friday's poll in an announcement on state radio.
Incumbent Yahya Jammeh is favourite to be re-elected, with opposition votes split between two candidates. Main opposition candidate Ousainou Darboe secured 27% of the vote, while Halifa Sallah received 6%.
Preliminary results are expected later on Friday night. Voter turnout was about 59%, lower than in Gambia's last presidential election.
Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and sociologist Halifa Sallah have challenged Mr Jammeh in the election. Due to a high level of illiteracy, voters used marbles to vote rather than ballot papers, inserting a marble into the drum representing their candidate.
The candidate with the most votes wins, even if he does not get 50%. Some 670,000 Gambians are registered to vote out of a population of 1.6 million.
GAMBIA ELECTION CANDIDATESOusainou Darboe - UDP - Yellow drumYahya Jammeh - APRC - Green drumHalifa Sallah - Nadd - Grey drum
Registered voters: 670,000Polling stations: 989 Voting with marbles Campaign in pictures		GAMBIA ELECTION CANDIDATESOusainou Darboe - UDP - Yellow drumYahya Jammeh - APRC - Green drumHalifa Sallah - Nadd - Grey drum
Registered voters: 670,000Polling stations: 989 Voting with marbles Campaign in pictures
Election official Mustapha Carayol told the BBC that voting had been extended until 1830 GMT on Friday. After casting his vote on Friday, President Jammeh had said he was confident of victory.
Counting was set to start as soon as polls close, with most results expected late on Friday or Saturday morning.
Earlier, long lines formed in some areas with mainly women and young people waiting calmly to vote in the baking heat.
After casting his vote, President Jammeh said he was confident of victory.
"I am sure I am going to win with a landslide victory," he said."I am sure I am going to win with a landslide victory," he said.
"Even the birds know that I am going to win because I have done so much for this country.""Even the birds know that I am going to win because I have done so much for this country."
In Thursday's final campaign rally, he said that neither an election or a coup would unseat him.
Mr Darboe also said he was confident, after voting in Serekunda, Gambia's biggest town near the capital, Banjul.
"I am very much optimistic that I will win this election," he said, while promising to reduce the cost of the staple food, rice.
Voters are not allowed to wear party colours or T-shirts.
Election brought forwardElection brought forward
Mr Jammeh came to power in a coup 12 years ago and won a second term in office in 2001 with 53% of votes cast.Mr Jammeh came to power in a coup 12 years ago and won a second term in office in 2001 with 53% of votes cast.
Mr Darboe - the leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) - was Mr Jammeh's main rival in the last elections, taking 33% of the vote. Mr Darboe - the leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) - was Mr Jammeh's main rival in the last election, taking 33% of the vote.
Results are expected by Saturday morning The opposition had intended to field one candidate, but earlier in the year Mr Darboe's UDP and several other parties pulled out of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (Nadd) led by Mr Sallah.
The opposition had intended to field one candidate, but earlier in the year Mr Darboe's UPD and several other parties pulled out of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (Nadd) led by Mr Sallah.
Gambia has been relatively stable since the coup in 1994, but Mr Jammeh's administration has come under increasing criticism for arresting opposition activists.Gambia has been relatively stable since the coup in 1994, but Mr Jammeh's administration has come under increasing criticism for arresting opposition activists.
The opposition is promising respect for human rights and accountability in government. Mr Jammeh, whose Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) party's election slogan was "vote for peace and prosperity", has promised to continue his programme of development.
Mr Jammeh, whose Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) party's election slogan is "Vote for peace and prosperity", promises to continue his programme of development.
Voting day was brought forward from October so as not to coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.Voting day was brought forward from October so as not to coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.