Gambian court delays election decision until next week

FILE- In this Tuesday Nov. 29, 2016 file photo, Gambian officers signal to the media not to block the public's view during President Yahya Jammeh's final rally in Banjul, Gambia. A Gambian court has postponed a decision on the disputed presidential election until next week. The delay of the ruling party's case until Monday, Jan. 16, 2017 sets up a collision course with the opposition, which still plans the inauguration of President-elect Adama Barrow on Jan 19. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE- In this Thursday Dec. 1, 2016 file photo, Gambians wait to cast their vote at a polling station during the Presidential election in Banjul, Gambia. A Gambian court has postponed a decision on the disputed presidential election until next week. The delay of the ruling party's case until Monday, Jan. 16, 2017 sets up a collision course with the opposition, which still plans the inauguration of President-elect Adama Barrow on Jan 19. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay File) (The Associated Press)

BANJUL, Gambia – A Gambian court has postponed a decision on the disputed presidential election until next week.

The delay of the ruling party's case until Monday sets up a collision course with the opposition, which still plans the inauguration of President-elect Adama Barrow on Jan 19.

Thousands of members of longtime President Yahya Jammeh's party descended near the courthouse Tuesday, chanting, singing and dancing.

Jammeh's party wants the results from the Dec. 1 election thrown out because of alleged irregularities.

But the Gambian court says neither Barrow nor the Independent Electoral Commission had been served with the petition. The court also currently does not have enough judges to hear the case.

Barrow maintains he will become Gambia's rightful president next week.