Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of (a) the security situation and (b) state of democracy in the Gambia following reports that Gambian security forces have taken over electoral commission headquarters and have prevented employees from entering.

Reports that Gambian security forces loyal to President Jammeh have taken over the offices of Independent Election Commission (IEC) are a real cause for concern. Tensions remain high following President Jammeh's legal challenge to the Supreme Court to annul the election results and the increased military checkpoints on the streets. We have urged all regional and international partners to continue to impress on Mr Jammeh that he must respect the will of the people and ensure a peaceful handover of power to President-elect Barrow and the incoming Government.