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Momodou
Denmark
11710 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Mar 2012 : 09:40:57
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Foroyaa Burning Issues : OPPOSITION PARTIES CALL FOR POSTPONEMENT IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN GENUINE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
By Abdoulie Dibba/Ousman Sillah
07-03-12
The seven Opposition Parties namely the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), the Gambia Party for Development and Progress (GPDP), the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD), the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), the People Progressive Party (PPP), the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) and the United Democratic Party (UDP) held a Press Conference on Tuesday 6th March 2012 at the People’s Centre at Churchill Town to state their position regarding the forth coming National Assembly Elections. They made it clear that the IEC has responded positively to many of their demands but argued that time is needed to back the promises with concrete action. They pointed out that since the IEC has scheduled the elections beyond the constitutionally established period and is also under the Chairmanship of a person whose tenure of office has been exceeded it would augur well for the Commission to postpone the elections and hold it at a date that is mutually agreed. They claimed that they wanted the discussion with the Commission to start since January but that the Chairman of the Commission was not responsive to dialogue until 28 February 2012. They argued that their declaration had not been responded to until 6 March, two days before Nomination. The parties underscored their desire to participate in a genuinely free and fair National Elections in which they will put up credible candidates to contest and demand for the Independent Electoral Commission to postpone the elections in order to give time to all the stakeholders to put in place the necessary guarantees that would ensure free and fair elections. They promised to engage the IEC today before issuing a final statement on their position vis a vis the National Assembly elections.
Reading out the joint statement on behalf of the combined opposition parties, Halifa Sallah disclosed that they have received on the very day of the press conference (yesterday) a letter dated 5th March 2012 from the IEC responding to their 14 point demand contained in an earlier Declaration dated 28 February 2012. He said the opposition acknowledged this response from the IEC as the commencement of a process of engagement to address genuine and legitimate demands for participation in free and fair elections. He said as responsible political leaders they are trying to express the demands of the Gambian people who desire genuine elections that reflect their true choice for political representation. He said in the declaration they forwarded to the IEC they underscored the fact that elections are and should only be contested by political parties and individuals on a level ground and not by other political parties against a party represented by the State machinery. He said their demands are basically for the electoral body to curb the abuse of incumbency as provided for by the law so that all the contending parties can contest on a free and equal landscape.
In response to questions from journalists as to whether the opposition intends to boycott the elections, Mr. Sallah stressed that the opposition is more prepared for genuine elections than the IEC and the ruling patty. He disclosed that request was made to engage the IEC since January without any positive response. He recalled the recent meeting the IEC held with the parties including the APRC which they utilised to put their demands. He said that if they did not want to participate in genuine elections they would not have taken all these initiatives. He said the delay is caused by the IEC and they should compensate the opposition for the delay by postponing the elections. In the wake of this development, he said, the parties will be meeting the IEC to acknowledge its response and its commitment to accede to some of their (opposition) demands and also highlight the sticking points which require time for their resolution; hence the demand for the postponement of the National Assembly elections to a mutually agreed time to allow the institution to put the necessary safeguards in place to ensure the holding of free and fair polls.
Hon. Hamat Bah of NRP reiterated the desire of the opposition parties to participate in the elections, adding that the IEC should postpone the elections for their mutual benefit as it would allow sufficient time for both the electoral body and the parties to implement the necessary processes and the commitments they made. He however noted that the IEC has responded very lately to their demands which they made earlier and as such should therefore be considerate to push the elections. He highlighted the initiatives they took to engage the IEC to reflect on the shortcomings of the electoral system without response. He said the date set for the elections is beyond the limit set by the Constitution. Hence there is the legal basis to postpone the elections.
Mr. Ebou Manneh of UDP said the opposition has taken a common position in their demand to participate in genuinely free and fair elections. He described the common approach being undertaken by the opposition parties as ‘détente cordiale’ in which they are working together to address the common desires and demands of their respective party memberships which is the holding of genuinely free and fair National Assembly elections. He reechoed the common demand for the postponement of the legislative polls and for the IEC to be proactive.
Dr. Borro Susso of UDP buttressed the point that the guarantees have to be put in place to allow for genuine political contest. “This requires adequate preparation and time,” he contended
Mr. Omar Jallow of PPP stressed that it is the duty of the IEC to organize and ensure free and fair elections. He reiterated that it is the duty of the IEC as a state body to serve all parties and candidates who want to participate in genuine elections. He also calls for a postponement to prepare for a genuine contest.
Mr. Henry Gomez said the opposition is resolved to ensure that things cannot continue with “business as usual” and that they are ready to engage the electoral body to conduct free and fair elections.
Below are the Declaration issued by the combined opposition and the response of the Independent Electoral Commission:
THE DEMAND FOR A LEVEL GROUND FOR MULTI PARTY CONTEST IN THE GAMBIA TO PREVENT POLITICAL EXCLUSION OF THE OPPOSITION
We the member parties that are signatories to this Declaration,
Being cognisant of our role as the custodians of the political parties that are established under Section 103 of the Elections Act “to participate in the shaping of the political will of the people and further sponsor candidates for public elections; of the Gambia that it guarantees participatory Democracy that reflects the undiluted choice of the people;
Fully acknowledging the rights enshrined in Section 26 of the Constitution “to take part in the conduct of public affairs , directly or through freely chosen representatives” and “to vote and stand for elections at genuine public elections for public office which elections shall be by universal and equal suffrage and be held by secret ballot;
Fully conscious of the rights we have as stipulated in section 25 of the Constitution “to freedom of speech and expression, freedom of thought and conscience, freedom of association which shall include freedom to form and join associations including political parties and freedom to assemble and demonstrate peaceably;
Alerting our minds to the importance given to political parties and a multi party system by Section 100 of the Constitution which states that “the National Assembly shall not pass a bill to establish a one party state” which is further buttressed by Section 104 of the Elections Act that, informs us that the number of political parties shall not be limited by law and every citizen of the Gambia shall have the right freely to choose whether or not he will be become a member of a political party and which party he or she will support;”
Informing ourselves of the content of Section 39 of the Constitution which amplifies the supreme authority given by the first Chapter of the Constitution that “the sovereignty of the Gambia resides in the people of the Gambia from whom all organs of Government derive their authority,” by making it categorically clear that “every citizen of the Gambia being of the age of 18 years or older and of sound mind shall have the right to vote for the purpose of elections of a President and members of National Assembly;”
Acknowledging it to be categorically clear that the Independent Electoral Commission is supposed to ensure that a level ground is established for multi party contest in accordance with the dictates of Section 41 of the Constitution that makes it mandatory for an electoral law to be enacted to guarantee “equal access to public facilities and the media by candidates at public elections;”
Recalling that a memorandum of understanding is signed, on our own volition, to usher in an Inter party committee to enhance our genuine political participation to build democratic political Institutions and culture that would engender and safeguard genuine multi party contest on a level political ground for all candidates;
Realising that for almost two decades genuine efforts have been made by forces in the opposition to make the Government realise that a functioning multi party system is characterised by building a genuine electoral system that guarantees participation of all candidates on an equal footing and guaranteeing them equal protection from all unfair electoral practices and to note further that it is only such a system that could give rise to the undiluted choice of the people, consolidate the building of democratic institutions, nurture a democratic culture and foster national unity and an open society that sustains respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, political legitimacy, national stability, sustainable economic growth and general welfare;
Have come to the following Conclusion:
That the greatest threat to the building of a genuine electoral system is the abuse of incumbency and the complete merger between party and state that enabled the ruling APRC party to exercise complete monopoly over state resources and the media and their utilisation to its political advantage.
That even though it is incontrovertible that public elections are designed to enable the enfranchised citizenry to listen to the candidates and elect the person of one’s choice elections in the Gambia is transformed into a battle between opposition candidates and the state. APRC candidates are accompanied by Ministers, Governors, Chiefs, Council of elders, Village Heads , Paramilitary and military personnel, ambulance drivers, green boys and girls and local government authorities boarding Government and Local Government vehicles, ambulances, military trucks to form a convoys that are given the clout of state authority when they ply in and out of villages. In many cases village heads would struggle to ensure that their villages are not branded as opposition strongholds because of threat of deprivation of development and would therefore counselor urge opposition supporters to hide their party emblems, flags and pictures of candidates and lectured that one cannot fight a state. This is what has given rise to the slogan that “if you cannot beat them join them.”
We want an end to such a slogan. We want elections to be between equals where the state is neutral and provide resources and personnel to secure the vote and ensure a free atmosphere for the conduct of fair and genuine elections.
That despite the expression of our wish for genuine elections , over the years the utilisation of state resources and the media to expand and consolidate the supremacy of ruling party has even been extended to promote a monarchical political culture in gross subversion of the Republican Constitution thus pushing the country steadily towards a de facto one party state and the painting of the opposition as an obstacle to National Development while cajoling it whenever it is deemed advantageous to go to elections with its hands and feet tied \by refusing to undertake the paltriest of reforms.
This has placed the opposition in a vicious corner to either boycott elections and be damned or participate in elections and be damned. Caught in this loss -loss situation it would be disingenuous to continue to contest every election with our hands and feet tied and then come out complaining of electoral misconduct.
Are now resolved
to take a stand to demand for the IEC and the ruling party to put an end to the conditions which prevent us from being a viable opposition and exclude us from participating in genuine elections and express the factors which ought to be put in place by the ruling party and the IEC to ensure the genuine elections, that are fit to ensure our inclusion.
To utilise every legal means at our disposal to ensure that from henceforth genuine elections are held in the Gambia should the dictates of the Constitution and the election laws be ignored with impunity.
Therefore, seek the following assurance, commitment and Declaration from the IEC and the ruling party.
1 that there is complete separation between the campaign of APRC candidates and the state; that there is equal access to public facilities be it those of the central government or local government by all candidates at all public elections, that there is no improper use or abuse of properties of central government or local government, by Ministers, Governors, Chiefs, council of elders, the paramilitary, the army, other security forces or leave councils to be utilised as elections headquarters of the ruling party; that public corporations desist from allowing their resources to be utilised for propaganda purposes by the ruling party
2 that the candidates from all sides of the political spectrum will enjoy the same treatment from government officials, the security forces and the law enforcement agents.
3 that military personnel in particular shall be confined to barracks during the election period and only unarmed police officers should be on security duties
4 that Governors, Chiefs, Members of District Tribunals ,Security Personnel should not participate in election campaign
5 that during the cooling period up to the day of the elections there will be no encampment of voters in any place or any issuing of statement on electoral matters by any other authority other than the IEC.
6 hat the state media operate in accordance with the principle of complete impartiality and neutrality and would provide balance news coverage regarding parties and candidates, grant the right to reply by all candidates and l give outlet to divergent views form different parties and candidates, on matters concerning them or their campaign. The employees shall not express political loyalties or make derogatory remarks against other parties while on duty
7 The IEC should take full responsibility for providing facilities, food, refreshments and allowance to all polling and counting agents since they are appointed to guard and secure the ballots from any tampering and ensure the fairness of the elections. that the IEC gives us clear information on how polling stations would be secured and provided with lighting facilities, now that it has accepted to do counting on the spot. Forms should be issued to each polling/counting agents to record the results of the polling station which shall be signed by all the polling/counting agents and the presiding officer of the station and a signed copy shall also be posted at the entrance of the polling station. This should be replicated at all levels of the computation process of the votes.
8 the IEC should name and shame all those who were accused of double registration but did not turn their cards in and all those who attested to voters’ cards that are revoked by the revising court sitting at Kanifing magistrate Court in 2011.
9 that transports would be allowed to move without any obstruction to carry voters to their regions and transports carrying voters would not be delayed at police stop or security checkpoints without consultation with the Independent Electoral Commission
10 that Gambians, particularly financiers of political parties, be assured that they could support the party of their choice morally, materially and finically without fear of any reprisal.
11 That all calls for the Presidency to be regarded a s a monarchy to be declared as seditious and treasonable propaganda aimed at overthrowing the Constitution and the Republic and should not be tolerated by the state media.
12 Since the APRC has received funds in contravention to the Constitutional requirement that funds to be sought from any source which aim to promote good governance in the Gambia to finance the budget of the opposition for this national Assembly elections to assist it to make a good start towards the leveling of the grossly uneven electoral landscape.
13 That the elections be postponed because of the delay in meeting the opposition to discuss how to put the right conditions in place for genuine election
14 assurances to come in the form of a memorandum of understanding and be discussed over the radio and TV by representatives of all political parties from now up to nomination day.
Finally we would want to pledge our honour with an indelible ink that that if the IEC and the ruling APRC join the opposition to ensure genuine electoral reform the opposition will conduct itself in an admirable fashion and accept results of public elections honourably no matter who it favours.
However if there is no breakthrough we will not hesitate to proceed to put our case before the judgment seat of the ECOWAS Court and the tribunal of Continental and World public opinion to test the veracity of our common position so that posterity would properly make its judgment. We hope together all stake holders would do what our times and circumstances dictate. To be true to the Gambia ever more and pledge our firm allegiance to the principle of holding genuine public elections that would give rise to the undiluted choice of the people.
IEC RESPONSE
The Independent Electoral Commission having reviewed the letter of Demand from members of the Opposition Parties in the signatories of GMC, GPDP, NADD, NRP, PDOIS, PPP and UDP and having diagnosed and discussed the above mentioned at an emergency meeting convened by the Commission whose sole purpose was to discuss expeditiously and judiciously the concerns raised by the Opposition Parties and resolved as follows to implement the following, cognisant of the fact that democracy is a process and the Commission should always, as is expected of it by constitutional dictates, promote a free, fair and transparent electoral process and in so doing persevere to facilitate a leveling of the playing field for all stakeholders in the process.
1. On the issue of the use of state Resources, The Commission has been quite pro-active in this regard. The Chairman has just concluded a countrywide tour whose main objective has been to sensitize local authorities on dos and don’ts as far co elections are concerned. Laws are very clear on separation of party and state.
The Commission will continue to sensitize the nation on this issue and will write a letter to the Minister of Local Government highlighting this issue.
2. There has always been full and unconditional cooperation for the Armed and police Forces of the Gambia in guaranteeing that the armed personnel of the security services are confined to their barracks during Electoral Processes. The only security officials that are appointed during electoral processes are those that are requested by the Commission. These are the security personnel that are engaged to safeguard the candidates as per request, the elections commissioners and teams who man polling stations. Notwithstanding, the Commission will convene a meeting with all security heads to discuss all matters relating to the level of participation expected from the security forces in order for them to positively impact an the forthcoming Elections.
3. The cooling off day is a day designated by the Commission as a non activity day for politics. All stakeholders should desist from campaigns, rallies, political gatherings and any form of mass gatherings that could be contrived as canvassing. This day is so designated in order to allow all parties to cool off prior to voting day. This day also allows voters to reflect on their choice of candidate without any interference from canvassing politicians. In this regard the Commission has in the past and will in the future sensitize stakeholders to understand the essence of this day in the elections calendar so as to value its significance. The Commission will take the step of setting up monitoring teams made up of staff of the Commission to monitor areas where elections are being held. These monitors will be given the mandate to break up any political gathering on the cooling off day. The Commission would appeal to all stake holders to do their own monitoring and to report any such infringements to the Commission. In turn the commission will take punitive measures against anyone found contravening this policy.
4. The Commission has made major strides in the area of equal access to the state media during campaign periods. Equal access is given to all contesting parties during this period. This will continue during the forth coming National Assembly Elections. All contesting parties including Independent Candidates will be given the opportunity to be heard on Public Radio and where possible on Public Television. The Commission will activate a media monitoring unit who will monitor the air waves on behalf of the commission and report any infringement of the code of campaign ethics to the commission for swift action.
The time allocated to parties and candidates should be used to give outlet to divergent views. As has augured in the past, the Commission will hold meetings with the GRTS to hammer out issues of fair and equal coverage for all contesting parties and candidates. The Commission is of the opinion that during campaigns, equal access to the public media by all candidates is a sine qua non. The commission is also of the opinion that major strides have been made in this regard and cognizant of the fact that our democracy is a process will endeavor to guarantee equal access to the public media to all contesting parties and candidates.
5. The issue of funding for party agents was done in 2006 mainly because funds were available through the Basket Fund. This facility in the Commission’s opinion did go a long way in delivering quality elections to the Gambia. For the forthcoming elections the issue of funding of agents has been fore most on the Commission’s agenda considering that this will be the first time that counting on the spot is introduced in all polling stations, it is the opinion of the Commission that it will only add credibility to the process if it is witnessed by agents of all contesting candidates. In this regard, the commission has already embarked on drives to secure funding for candidates agents during the upcoming National Assembly Elections. It is important to note though these funds when made available will only be used to subsidies the up keep of candidates agents at polling stations not for any other purposes. Consequently, these funds will be disbursed at polling stations directly to the candidate’s agents.
6. The modality for counting on the spot will be made clear to all candidates and their agents. All agents will be issued a signed copy of the final count sheet at the end of the count which they will be expected to submit to their candidates. The transparency of the count at the polling station will be given the importance it deserves and all agents will be first hand witnesses of the count. The agents will be required to take all the notes of the count and report back to their candidates. The Commission will sometime after the National Assembly Elections hold a discussion with all parties at a debriefing session on the implementation of counting on the spot.
7. The detection of double registrants has been a good indication that the process of voter registration has been improved. In the past voter registrations there was no tool in the database to detect this menace. The Commission in this regard made the decision to expunge from the register all previous multiple registrations therefore all registered voters can only vote once. Due to time constrains this was the best mechanism we could use in order to have had the time to prepare Registers for Presidential and National Assembly Elections, once we conclude the National Assembly Elections, the Commission will now have the time to take a more in-depth look into this issue and will take preventive steps in this regard. Indelible Ink will be used during National Assembly Elections as a second check to ascertain that on one votes twice.
8. On the freedom to move on Election Day, The Chairman will take up this issue with Inspector General of Police.
Movement of voters should not be impeded. The Commission is aware that quite a number of voters actually move from their places of residence to their places of birth to vote, This being the main reason why, Election Day has traditionally been designated a public holiday.
Cognizant of this fact, the commission will have a dialogue with the IGP and all Commissioners of police at the Administrative Area level to guarantee freedom of movement prior and during Election Day.
In this regard the Commission also appeals that any such hindrances to movement be informed immediately to the Commission for swift action.
9. On the issue of freedom to support financially any candidate. The Commission has gone through its files and has no record of any complain made in this regard. It is the opinion that Gambians have the sovereign right to freely contribute financially to the activities of any political party of their choice. Notwithstanding, the above, the Commission will monitor this concern closely. It is the ardent belief of the Commission that parties are best funded by the grassroots, any Gambian who contributes to a political campaign will definitely vote for that candidate in an election, in this regard, the Commission has repeatedly expressed that elections are a sovereign right of the people, and these rights include supporting any candidate of their choice morally, financially and of course through casting ballots. In short the Commission encourages the participation of Gambians in the political process on all levels and will always protect the sovereign right of Gambians to participate freely in this process.
10. There has been no attempt to stifle elections in the Gambia; on the contrary, we have just gone through the first election in the second republic that has been funded solely by the Government of the Gambia. In this regard, the Commission can only say that the level of support we have received from Central Government, the National Assembly and all Gambians in general gives us the confidence to say that our democracy is healthy and vibrant and is under no threat.
11. On postponement of National Assembly Election Day, The Commission categorically stands by this date and National Assembly Elections will be held as planned on the 29th March 2011. The Constitution clearly states that the National Assembly Elections will be held four months after the Presidential Elections, this date has been Gazetted, all preparations are in place to hold this elections successfully, potential candidates from various political parties and have already collected nomination packages. The Commission encourages all Political Parties to participate in these elections in order to fulfill their raison d’être.
12. The Commission has sworn to protect the laws of the Gambia and in particular to uphold the Elections Laws of this country. These laws fundamentally dictate the modus operandi of the Commission. The Commission acts in line with the laws, independent of any influence from any political party, this being the only way to achieving the status of a free, fair and transparent Referee. The Elections act 2001 is clear on this issue. Section 104 part 7 clearly states that a political party shall not receive any contribution from any person who is not a citizen of the Gambia or from any body corporate or incorporated.
The Commission will proactively act on any contraventions of the law and therefore behoves all stakeholders to formally lodge complaints in writing to the Commission.
When there is evidence of contravention.
In this regard the Commission will have to follow dictates of the law as stipulated in Section 104 part 7.
Finally, the Commission promotes a healthy dialogue with and amongst all stakeholders in the political process. As referees, we will continue, to manage the electoral process in the Gambia to the best of our God given abilities listening to all concerns from stakeholders yet making informed decisions without any undue hindrance and interference, so help us God.
Yours sincerely
Alh. Mustapha L. Carayol
CHAIRMAN
Source: Foroyaa
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2012 : 19:20:57
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http://www.freedomnewspaper.com/Homepage/tabid/36/mid/367/newsid367/7342/Gambia-Breaking-News--OPPOSITION-PARTIES-BOYCOTT-NAM-ELECTIONS/Default.aspx
Brother Momodou,
All the oppositions have decided to boycott the elections except Hamat Bah's NRP. You see Gambians would soon see the real Hamat Bah.
I know for sure once President Jammeh comes from his Qatar trip, he will reward Hamat greatly.
Maybe I stand to get wrong on this but am sure Jammeh would be ready to loose at least one or two seats for Hamat's party to get maybe one or two seats to legitimize the parliamentary elections.
Lets wait and see.
My thanks to Halifa and co, Ousainou and co, OJ and co, Hendry and co and Mai Fatty and co. fr their stands fight for democracy. I only believed if they had done that in the presidential elections, maybe something would have been done by now. |
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Momodou
Denmark
11710 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2012 : 22:02:37
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FINAL DECLARATION OF THE OPPOSITION ON THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS OF 2012
7th March 2012
We the member political parties that are signatory to this Declaration
Bearing in mind that we have long adopted the policy of dialogue with the IEC rather than confrontation because of our realisation that three Chairmen of the Commission and other commissioners had been removed before the expiration of their term of office, thus eroding the enforcement powers of the Commission because of the absence of a proactive state in terms of electoral reform;
Having issued a 14 point declaration to initiate substantive dialogue with the IEC, on 28 February 2012, a copy of which was handed over to the APRC party in government , on how to enhance the leveling of the political landscape to ensure the holding of genuine National Assembly elections in particular and all other elections in general;
Having received a reply, AGC 38/119/01/(28) dated 5thMarch 2012 from the Independent Electoral Commission regarding our demand for level ground to hold multi party contest to prevent our political exclusion;
Acknowledging that the response of the IEC could form the basis of much needed dialogue and consensus on the measures that are to be put in place to ensure a relatively level ground for multi party electoral contest;
Having convened a meeting with the IEC on Wednesday, 7th March 2012, to review the measures it promised to put in place to address the concerns engendered by our 14 point declaration;
Made the following observations:
That the proactive sensitisation missions launched by the IEC to inform the local authorities and the public servants to respect the electoral laws which bar abuse of state resources for propaganda purposes have largely been ineffective and their plan to meet the Minister for Local Government to address the issue is inadequate, since the Head of the Civil Service was on the public media endorsing the candidature of APRC Candidates thus nullifying the distinction between party and the state; that the authority to engage to prevent the abuse of Central and Local Government resources for propaganda purposes and give assurance to village heads that as signatories to documents that entitle claimants to get voters’ cards ,they should not interfere with the political preferences of villagers, is the Head of state who is responsible for the appointment of Ministers, Governors and Chiefs and is the Secretary General of the APRC
That the promise to meet Security heads is nothing new and had not prevented the security forces from taking partisan positions and accompanying the convoys of APRC Candidates with party flags and emblems. That in order for any action of the IEC to have any positive impact on the forthcoming elections, the Commander in Chief of the armed forces needs to be engaged ;
That the Commission’s plan to set up a monitoring team to ensure that there is no encampment for electoral purposes ,or, canvassing during the cooling period,and on voting day and the invitation for political parties to do the same is a good proposal which should be preceded by multi party sensitisation programmes if it is to impact positively on the forthcoming National Elections;
That the plan to set up a media monitoring team to monitor the use of the public media should also be complimented by a multiparty media review team to ensure that the cassettes to be broadcast are sanctioned by a representative of the concerned candidate and party. That the APRC has already jumped the gun and its nomination is covered in national news .That these measures could impact positively on the forthcoming elections if adequate time is given to set up and sensitise the stakeholders on such mechanisms;
That the provision of an allowance for polling/counting agents is complimentary to the institutionalization of counting on the spot and the establishment of collation Centres but that time is necessary to sensitise all stakeholders on the processes to be undertaken and the implications for political parties and candidates;
That the claim by the IEC that there is no complaint in their file regarding the contribution of non Gambians and Corporate bodies to the campaign financing of the ruling party and that the issue is therefore not to its notice, is not convincing to the opposition since most of such contribution is in the public domain and does not need an informant to make it known to the IEC.
That the failure to name and shame those involved in double registration and those who were attesters to the claims of those whose voters’ cards had been revoked by a revising court, will impact negatively on the National Assembly elections and that time should be devoted to such venture to build the confidence of the people.
That the reference made to section 96 of the constitution in terms of holding National Assembly Elections within four months after the Prudential elections, in order to justify why the National Assembly elections could not be postponed, is not applicable since the election is scheduled outside of the constitutionally prescribed limit of four calendar months.
That the delay in convening a long requested meeting with the opposition has given rise to this late response of the IEC to the concerns of the opposition parties; that Since January the opposition had asked for dialogue and the declaration issued on 28 February was not responded to until 6th ; that the time left for nomination is short and the supporters of the opposition need to be shown that their leaders have done their utmost to address their concerns, that this is the only way the leaders could gain credibility.
That postponing the elections would earn the confidence of the opposition supporters by showing them that the IEC aims to start a new mode of operation;
Noted the following response of the IEC ;
That it is ready to improve the process but has resolved to proceed with the elections on 29 March 2012;
Made it categorically clear that it is the wish of the opposition to engage in dialogue so that national solution would be found to national problem so as to safeguard national integrity;
that we have sitting National Assembly members and other credible candidates who are ready to participate in the National Assembly elections; that we cannot afford to lose these seats by default but cannot also participate in a process that will not earn us credibility;
That if the IEC cannot handle the problem the opposition may seek external mediation so that it would not be excluded from participation of the National Assembly Elections:
Engaged in sober reflection after our meeting with the IEC;
Now concludes that since the IEC has made it categorically clear that it will not postpone the National Assembly elections to accommodate our genuine concerns and win the confidence of our supporters we, therefore are pushed not to participate in the National Assembly Elections.
Further invite the ECOWAS, The African Union The Common Wealth and international community at large to mediate to settle the impasse so that the opposition will not be excluded from putting up candidates in the National Assembly elections by postponing the elections to a more appropriate date
Signed by:
Gambia Moral Congress
Gambia Party Development and Progress
National Aliance for Democracy and Development
People Progressive Party
Peoples Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism
United Democratic Party
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11710 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2012 : 22:11:02
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Gambia opposition to boycott parliamentary polls
(AFP) –
BANJUL — Six Gambian opposition parties said Thursday they would boycott parliamentary elections later this month, accusing the ruling party of abusing the system to tip the poll in its favour.
Since the election commission (IEC) would not postpone the polls as requested, they had been forced to pull out of the March 29 vote, said a joint statement from the parties.
"We have no other option but to boycott the polls until a time when the IEC can assure us of a level playing field," Ousainou Darboe, leader of the main United Democratic Party told journalists.
However shortly afterwards the IEC announced that two of the UDP's four members of parliament had resigned from the party to run in the election as independent candidates.
Another opposition leader, Hamat Bah, whose party does not currently hold a seat in parliament, also rejected the call for a boycott.
"We are 100 percent going to participate in the polls," he told AFP.
Meanwhile the other opposition leaders called on the international community, including the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to mediate in the dispute.
On Wednesday, seven opposition parties called for the polls to be postponed.
The leaders accused the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) of having abused the system to ensure victory in the vote.
"The greatest threat to building a genuine electoral system is the abuse of incumbency and the complete merger between party and state...," it said.
That had enabled the APRC "to exercise a monopoly over state resources and the media, and their utilization to its political advantage," the statement added.
The IEC rejected the criticism, insisting in a letter that the National Assembly election would run as scheduled.
The ruling APRC currently holds 47 out of 53 seats in the assembly, which constitutes a single-chamber parliament.
The opposition United Democratic Party has only four seats, the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD) has one, and one seat is held by an independent candidate.
Campaigning for the election is due to start on March 14.
President Yahya Jammeh swept presidential polls in November with 72 percent of the votes, in an election which the opposition and observers criticised for the use of state media and resources to back his campaign.
ECOWAS pulled out of observing last year's election, saying Jammeh's control of the media and voter intimidation meant it could not be free and fair.
The regime of the man who says he can cure AIDS is often pilloried for human rights abuses, the disappearance of critics, extra-judicial killings, torture and the muzzling of journalists.
Gambia is the smallest nation on the African mainland and survives mostly from tourism, luring sun-worshipping Europeans to its sweeping, palm-fringed coastline, and agriculture.
Copyright © 2012 AFP. All rights reserved |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2012 : 23:50:15
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ITS LONG OVERDUE AS "TRUTH" IS PREVAILING AND RIGHT DECISION/TACTIC/STRATEGY FINALLY TAKEN BY DYNAMIC PROGRESSIVE FRONT OF OPPOSITION 
WELCOME AND UNITED IN ACTION, ON COMMON GROUND, NATIONAL UNITY, SOLIDARITY AND SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE, TOWARDS THE COMMON GOOD! |
Edited by - kobo on 09 Mar 2012 00:23:26 |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 09 Mar 2012 : 15:35:09
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Kobo,
we are speaking the same language here on this one. United they must stand against tyranny. The IEC is not legitimate and we all knew that the mandate of carayol has expired since but the dictator decided to keep him there to do his dirty deals for him.
We can no longer afford another years of this monster and the earlier all oppositions realize that the better for our dear nation |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 11 Mar 2012 : 15:03:55
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FREEDOM NEWS;
GAINAKO NEWS;
RELATED BANTABA TOPIC;
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Edited by - kobo on 11 Mar 2012 15:59:15 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 11 Mar 2012 : 15:50:51
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Janyanfara!
Compatriot! Hope opposition front will capitalise and maintain this common ground; be very smart to revamp; belief and trust each other; advocate and promote goodwill, comradeship, national unity, solidarity; completely eliminate partisan/individual/group of individual causes in future huddles towards the COMMON GOAL
UNITED WE STAND! DIVIDED WE FALL! |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 12 Mar 2012 : 13:16:36
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THE POINT NEWS;
THE DAILY NEWS;
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Edited by - kobo on 12 Mar 2012 13:20:37 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 12 Mar 2012 : 23:21:41
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THE POINT NEWS EDITORIAL;
FOROYAA NATIONAL NEWS AND EDITORIAL;
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Edited by - kobo on 12 Mar 2012 23:48:23 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 13 Mar 2012 : 19:43:14
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THE POINT NEWS;
FREEDOM NEWS WITH COMMENTARY AND OPINION BY By: Jeggan Grey-Johnson;
MAAFANTA.COM WITH D. A. JAWO;
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Edited by - kobo on 13 Mar 2012 20:17:47 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2012 : 03:09:16
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FOROYAA NATIONAL NEWS;
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 21:25:16
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THE POINT NEWS;
"Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Former National Assembly Member for Wuli West constituency, Sidia Jatta, has opined that the fact that elections in The Gambia are “not free and fair” was the reason why the opposition parties decided this year that “enough is enough” and “would stand and defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of this country”.
Jatta, who was addressing journalists at a press conference held at the Peoples Centre in Churchill’s Town yesterday, said the opposition felt that the time has now come for them to refuse to continue to legitimize something which is illegitimate.
According to him, he could have won very easily in the last parliamentary elections in Wuli Wast in spite of all the irregularities, but to have one, two or three people in the National Assembly does not solve the problem of the Gambian people.
The former Pan-African parliamentarian, who lost his seat due to the opposition boycott of the March 29 polls, said the essence of being in the National Assembly is to be able to bring about fundamental changes in the lives of the people of this country, and that one person winning in a constituency cannot bring that about.
“If I were to be in that Assembly today, Gambians and the international public will think that something legitimate is happening in The Gambia, and that elections in The Gambia are free and fair, because an opposition member has won and is speaking in the parliament.
“Anybody who is familiar with the Gambian situation knows that is not true; and that is why the opposition parties, this year, have decided that enough is enough, and we stand and defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of this country, and combat the abuse of incumbency and all the irregularities which marred elections in this country,” he said.
Jatta, who said the press conference was meant to thank the constituency of Wuli as a whole and Wuli West, in particular, for having consistently and fervently supported his candidature for the last 15 years, denied widely held beliefs that the opposition boycotted the elections.
“We did not boycott any elections; we identified numerous irregularities that marred free and fair elections in this country, and even the IEC agreed that there were irregularities,” Jatta stated.
He explained that when the PDOIS party emerged in 1986 under the first Republic, the fundamental objective was precisely to deal a blow to that political landscape which existed then, which “was not level and which continues to exist up to date”.
“Our objective was to bequeath to the coming generations, a political landscape which will be so free that nobody will feel intimidated or frightened to express him or herself sovereignly in determining who to choose as a public trustee.,” he added.
That situation, he went on, continues to exist today, even in its worst form.
“Our historic objective was to bequeath to the coming generation, a country where people will be so free and so empowered that no politician will throw dust into their eyes,” Jatta said, adding further that 26 years after their existence, that situation still leaves much to be desired.
“My party PDOIS has had to go into different political arrangements because of the fact that section 48 (1) of the constitution has been amended out of the constitution.
“That section states that in a presidential election, if no candidate obtains more than 50% of the votes cast in that election, then there has to be a second round of election in which the two candidates with the largest number of votes will contest,” he stated.
That section, he noted, has been amended out of the constitution “which means that we don’t have a second round of elections in the presidential election anymore.
“Because of this, opposition political parties have thought it necessary to think of ways of joining their forces with a view to combating this nefarious abuse of incumbency, and create a political landscape where people will be free to express themselves sovereignly in determining whom to choose as their public trustee,” Jatta concluded."
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 23:49:26
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"Jatta, who was addressing journalists at a press conference held at the Peoples Centre in Churchill’s Town yesterday, said the opposition felt that the time has now come for them to refuse to continue to legitimize something which is illegitimate."
Karamba agrees with Jatta. Does anyone disagree ? |
Karamba |
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