The Gambian electoral commission has defended its decision to postpone the voter registration exercise ahead of the 4 December presidential election.

It cited logistical challenges around "procurement of materials and equipment needed for the successful conduct of the vote registration", The Point News website reports.

The commission has however assured citizens that the delay will not affect the electoral calendar, insisting that the December polls will still go ahead as planned.

The decision to postpone voter registration sparked a lot of debate, especially among the political class.

The Standard news website reported that President Adama Barrow advised the electoral body against delaying the presidential election.

Civil society groups are demanding an emergency meeting about the postponement, the website reports.

In December 2019 the banned "Operation Three Years Jotna" movement staged protests in the capital Banjul to pressure President Barrow to honour his 2016 promise to stand down after a three-year transitional period.