Africa

Gambia president's party takes majority in new parliament

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Election volunteers count votes at the end of parliamentary election in Banjul, Gambia Thursday, April 6, 2017. Voters in Gambia headed to the polls Thursday for parliamentary elections that are expected to end two decades of domination by the party of former leader Yahya Jammeh. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Election workers prepare sealed drums containing votes after parliamentary election in Banjul, Gambia Thursday, April 6, 2017. Voters in Gambia headed to the polls Thursday for parliamentary elections that are expected to end two decades of domination by the party of former leader Yahya Jammeh. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Gambians wait to cast their vote at a polling station during parliamentary election in Banjul, Gambia Thursday, April 6, 2017. Voters in Gambia headed to the polls Thursday for parliamentary elections that are expected to end two decades of domination by the party of former leader Yahya Jammeh. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Gambia's electoral commission chair says the party of new President Adama Barrow has won a majority of seats in parliament.

Thursday's vote overcomes two decades of domination by the party of former leader Yahya Jammeh. It also assures that Barrow can move ahead with promised transitions toward greater freedoms.

Independent Electoral Chair Alieu Momarr Njai on Friday called the vote free and fair. He said Barrow's United Democratic Party won 31 seats in the 53-seat National Assembly.

The former ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party now holds five seats.