Gambians cast votes with marbles instead of ballots

By Briana Duggan, CNN

Updated 1847 GMT (0247 HKT) December 1, 2016

The unique voting system was introduced in the early 1960's to address the high level of illiteracy in the country.
Photos: Gambia's marble voting system
The unique voting system was introduced in the early 1960's to address the high level of illiteracy in the country.
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Each party competing in the election has a drum painted with its own identifying colors and their party symbol.
Photos: Gambia's marble voting system
Each party competing in the election has a drum painted with its own identifying colors and their party symbol.
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Voters are issued a marble each, then proceed to the polling booth to vote.
Photos: Gambia's marble voting system
Voters are issued a marble each, then proceed to the polling booth to vote.
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This system of voting was introduced to assure transparency.
Photos: Gambia's marble voting system
This system of voting was introduced to assure transparency.
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When a marble is dropped into the drum, it hits a bell which indicates a vote has just been cast. To prevent other sounds the drum has saw dust or sand inside.
Photos: Gambia's marble voting system
When a marble is dropped into the drum, it hits a bell which indicates a vote has just been cast. To prevent other sounds the drum has saw dust or sand inside.
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The system allows counting officials quickly ascertain the number of votes cast in each drum.
Photos: Gambia's marble voting system
The system allows counting officials quickly ascertain the number of votes cast in each drum.
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More than 880,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots when this tiny west African nation goes to the polls.
Photos: Gambia's marble voting system
More than 880,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots when this tiny west African nation goes to the polls.
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