The advantages of Gambia’s unique marble voting system

During the parliamentary elections, I had the opportunity to appreciate the Gambian voting system, a system that is unlike any other in the world.

Rather than the paper or digital ballot systems I am used to in the West, Gambians conduct elections in a manner reminiscent of a childhood game. Voters drop small marbles into drums that represent each candidate’s party. They know their vote has been counted when they hear a chime.

The Gambian voting system is unique and has at least five distinct advantages.

Designed to make it easy for illiterate people to exercise their democratic rights, the voting system is straightforward. The simplicity makes it easy for even first-time voters to understand and participate. For example, the vividly coloured drums, each with the candidate’s picture and party logo, make it easy for even first-time voters to understand and participate.

Second, the technology is highly tamper-proof and nearly impossible to manipulate without being detected. When someone drops a marble, election officials hear a loud ring sound; no one can cast more than one vote without being discovered, even in the privacy of a polling booth. Furthermore, all the drums are tied together, making it hard to tamper with them without raising the suspicions of the alert security personnel.

Third, counting votes takes less time and is more precise. Gambians use customised trays to count votes rather than risking errors by manually counting ballots, making the process faster, easier, and more accurate. It also considerably reduces the cost of elections.

Fourth, the voting technology is inexpensive, made locally, and environmentally friendly. The marbles and drums are all handmade in The Gambia. There is no shortage of supplies, which ensures seamless election logistics. Furthermore, the marbles and drums are reused, making the process environmentally friendly because there is very little waste compared to paper ballot methods.

Lastly, the use of marbles is a Gambian custom that contributes to a sense of national pride and identity.

The benefits of The Gambia’s marble voting system extend beyond its novelty. It is an innovation that addresses issues of voter fraud and illiteracy. Furthermore, the one-of-a-kind marble voting mechanism is an example of how to make an election more democratic while still keeping the election process affordable, secure and transparent.

While there have been legitimate concerns about the voting system, with some urging for a switch to a paper ballot system, The Gambia would be wise to look for inventive ways to improve and not abolish it.