Sanni Karta “Throw the Card”

Today is election day in The Gambia and it is called Sanni Karta day (throw the card, like throwing in your vote). Due to a very low literacy rate there are no paper ballots or computerized booths. Instead, there are different barrels of different colors representing each political party. Each person drops a marble in the barrel which hits a bell that dings so they know their vote went in and then their finger is marked with this permanent dye. The marbles are counted by trained nationals who take their job very seriously and there are observers from many countries.

So far, the day is quiet. The weekly market has been cancelled and the voting lines are long. We are staying home and praying for a peaceful day and peaceful process. We trust in the Lord and His sovereignty, please join us in praying for peace during these critical times.