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jambo
3300 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Aug 2006 : 14:58:27
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Time if running out for people to make decisions, voting day in soon here.
What are Gambians in the disapora advising families back in gambia to vote for.
what does the ballot paper look like, six names, one name what is written on it.
Bantaba members who can vote who are you voting for and why.
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2006 : 19:39:58
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I think under the constitution, all Gambians of 18 years can vote. At this age they are considered matured and responsible. I don’t think it is right for any one to tell any one who to vote for. It is a sacred duty of each of us to exercise these rights without let or hindrance.
VOTE FOR ANYONE YOU THINK BEST SERVES YOUR INTEREST. DEMOCRACY IS NOT ABOUT NATIONAL INTEREST BUT ABOUT INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS. IF A MAJORITY HAS A SIMILAR INTERST THEY VOTE IN A CANDIDATE WHO SHARES SIMILAR PASSIONS. IN FACT I DARE SAY THAT DEMOCRACY IS THE IMPOSITION OF THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY ON THE MINORITY.
THE PARTY WITH THE MAJORITY VOTES GETS TO MAKE THE DECISIONS. SO IF YOU ARE IN THE MINORITY, YOUR BEST BET IS TO TRY AND CONVINCE MANY TO YOUR SIDE AND WHEN YOU WIN, YOU ALSO IMPOSE YOUR WILL ON THE MINORITY.
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the majority is right. People like Halifa will make a great change for the better, yet society is not ready to embrace him. I believe this is partly as a result of special interest. May be his(Halif) policies run counter to their interest and they being human, will always guard their interest as we all do. Here comes in the disadvantage of democracy. Since not every one is successful, it then follows that the majority is never successful. In fact in every society, successful, clever, hardworking citizens are always in the minority. Hence the English saying: DO NOT FOLOW THE CROWD.
The only secret to success I know is being different. Following the crowd leads to failure. Throughout out history, those who left marks in this world were people who thought and behaved differently from the crowd and were sometimes labeled as insane. Some were unfortunately killed by society. People like Archimedes come to mind whose inventions are still influencing civilization. He died in 212BC.
Others in the minority are for example, William Shakespeare, Pythagoras, Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Mahatma Gandhi, Aristotle, and Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
Democracy is the catch phrase today but it is not an end in itself. It is one of the means to and end. Democratic regimes have through out history brought untold miseries on society and a more recent one was about 60 years ago. You could almost list the names of all the great giants of the world on one sheet of paper. Yet with a world population of over 2 billion, only a handful has heeded the call to bring meaningful development to the human race. There are more democratically elected governments in Africa, yet that democracy guaranteed nothing to its citizens. Some one proposed another way. I might call it the Third Wave. What that is I don’t know, but certainly democracy has not worked in Africa. Some might argue that we did not practice true democracy, but my believe is that a government elected by its people qualifies as being democratic.
If we look at the Asian Tigers, they did not embrace democracy in its present definition yet they have leaped into progress. So societal advancement is not necessarily dependent on democracy as a form of government but on the integrity of the leader. Then again, having a government by the people tends to bring stability, which is necessary for growth.
A GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE UNFORTUNATELY REMAINS A MYTH RATHER THAN A REALITY. QUITE TOO OFTEN, SPECIAL INTERESTS DICTATE WHAT LAWS SOCIETY IS GOVERNED BY AND THEY ARE IN THE MINORITY. The irony in a democracy is that the majority votes in a Government, but a minority dictates how their lives will be.
I am sure some might think I am being philosophical, but I am not.
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rah
117 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2006 : 21:51:02
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| I wish Gambian Bantaba Diasporians were given their god given rights as citizens, to vote, equally, as all other democratic nations practise. My answer to your question jambo, is blowing in the wind. yeh,rah |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 03 Aug 2006 : 18:38:29
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KONS:
YOU ARE RIGHT THAT ALL GAMBIANS RESERVED THE RIGHT TO VOTE A CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE. HOWEVER , WE CAN CAMPAIGHN FOR THE OPPOSITION AND THAT CAMPAIGN COULD JUST START WITH OUR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES TO TRY TO BRING THEM ON BOARD.
DEMOCRACY COULD BE THE IMPOSITION OF THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY , BUT THAT IS THE EXTREME CASE. IN MANY CASES THE RULING MAJORITY HAS TO CONTEND WITH THE WISHES OF THE MINORITY.
HALIFA'S POLITICAL SUCCESS MAY NOT ONLY BE TIED TO HIS CHARACTER AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY . AS YOU RIGHTLY SAID THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC MOOD OF THE NATION MATTERS A LOT.BUT POLITICAL SUCCESS VERY MUCH LIES IN CAMPAIGN. THE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES , THE FREQUENCY( AND QUALITY )WITH WHICH A CANDIDATE'S IMAGE AND PROGRAMS ARE BOMBARDED TO THE PUBLIC ALSO AFFECTS SUCCESS. IN SHORT "NAME RECOGNITION" IS ALS AN UNDERLYING CURRENT. ALSO THE CULTURE OF OUR PEOPLE , WHO VALUE ONE TO ONE CONTACT , SMALL FAVORS AND APPRECIATIONS PLAY A PART.
YOU ARE RIGHT THAT DEMOCRACY IS NOT BY ANY MEANS A PRECURSOR FOF DEVELOPMENT , YET THE EVIDENCE IS THAT LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT CANNOT BE SUSTAINED WITHOUT DEMOCRACY( SHARING OF POWER).THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THE CASES YOU CITED.
YES YOU ARE BEING PHILOSOPHICAL ! |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 03 Aug 2006 : 19:25:55
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| I get frustrated sometimes. I have a lot of desires for my people. I want us to be a beacon of hope for all to see, happy educated, healthy, free and having liberty to be who we want to be but reponsible enough to ".. remain ever true to our motherland" |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2006 : 17:39:49
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KONS:
SOMETIMES I FEEL THE SAME WAY TOO.
I HAVE NO DOUBT YOU WISH THE BEST FOR OUR COUNTRY. YOU HAVE CONTINOUSLY SHOWN THAT IN ALL YOUR REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF IDEAS AND COMMENTS.
LET'S KEEP IT UP ! |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2006 : 11:19:04
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Kons, and Kayjatta, do you think that Gambians are voting for the candidate of choice, or is the choice being made for them.
"THAT ALL GAMBIANS RESERVED THE RIGHT TO VOTE A CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE". |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2006 : 00:27:22
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Jambo,
Though you've asked kon.and kejatta,I want to assure you that the fate of the Gambia as far this forth comming elections is concerned,has been decided for them already and both Oppositions knew this.
My reasons are:
(1)First and formost,Jammeh has said he will rule for another 30 years,which shows he has no regard for any outcome from any elections[Though that lies in the hand of God not Him]
(2)He was also coated as saying if the oppositions wants to become prasidents,they have to be more patient than a volture whinch buttressed the first point.
(3)He has hijacked all organs of our electoral institutions by allowing a law to give him power to hire and fire chairmen and electoral officials at will without interferance from any political spectrium or atleast a constitutional clause to weakened his powers in that field to allow transparency and a level playing field.[How do you expect a contestant to choose the judge and officials of the contest and yet you expect that contest to be without defect?Somebody somewhere is a real fool!Definately not Jammeh
(4) Most elections in African and third world countries are mared by fraud ,malpractices and intimidation of political opponents==
Jammeh knew this and for the past elections which I have witnessed,the police and the army are used by government at will to intimidate oppositions and nothing comes out of it.
classical examples are:
The Chamoi killing when the APRC led by Alagie Banta Camara,Momodou Soma Jobe and some July 22nd Boys went to lay in ambushed on a UDP Convoy.It became bloody which resulted in the dead of one Alieu Njie[J22nd boy].Ousainou Darboe,Single Nyassi,Baba Drammeh Mboge Saidykhan,Lang Marong and Rilwan secka were arrested and charged for the killing but no APRC boy or official was even warned by any authority.
The stonning of former PDOIS[not incoporated into NADD]Officials in Bwiam and the government sponsored youth refusing them to hold their constitutionally affirmed political meeting and the Government appointed so called IEC could do nothing to stop such things from happening.
Baba Jobe [former big wig and major power] of the APRC refused the UDP from holding meeting in Soma under the eye of the police and there was fighting between his boys and some UDP youth but the police and the Army ended up trying to arrest some UDP supporters on Baba's orders which also led to annother scuffle stones where thrown at police station while APRC vehicle was damaged.
The Talinding Killing when some military men where stationed at the Talinding junction to stop some UDP/PPP/GPP supporters from crossing the highway to attend a meeting inside Talinding interior While there was that scuffle,annother convoy of supporters arrived and there was pandamonium stone throwing became the order of the day and the Army open fire life bullets into unarmed group of youths to either frightened them or to show they are under orders to kill.Thus one boy was seen lying in a pool of blood crying for help until he died.
Do you think when some youth who don't know the law were to see that they can do any thing they choose to provoke the opposition and will always get the backing of the government[police and army inclussive] and some strong opposition supporters who see the open biasness of the army and police think no one can stop them from excercising their constitutional rights would listen to each other?
More so our youth would be left at the mercy of the police and Army while our political leaders would either go and seek santuary at foreign embasies or be protected by paid guards.Who will guard the young boys?
Our Commissioner[so called Governors],chiefs,Alkalolus play more intimidating role in canvassing votes for the APRC by using threats and all sorts intimidating forms so as to be seen to act for the president.
Civil servants ect ect just to name but a few.
But all these could instead vote the opposition as we do go for a secret ballot If they are sure of a true democratical intentions of the opposition and not to go for a witch hunt when they win, but would instead go in for a reconsiliation process and only those with blood on their hands to be punished.
ALas the IEC IEC === JCEC=Jammeh's chosen electoral commission.Decides at the end of all the campaigns, fighting,hardships, ect ect.
Peace
Janyanfara |
Edited by - Janyanfara on 09 Aug 2006 00:42:09 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2006 : 00:34:30
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Jayang
I cannot add anymore. Thanks for a wonderful piece. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2006 : 00:41:52
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| "EVERY ONE FOR HIMSELF AND GOD FOR US ALL" VON BISMACK |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2006 : 21:42:52
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JAMBO:
I THINK ALL GAMBIANS HAVE A RIGHT AND THE FREEDOM TO VOTE FOR ANY CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE. WHEN THEY GO TO THE POLLING BOOTH , THEY ARE ALONE INSIDE AND CAN VOTE FOR WHOEVER THEY WANT TO.
NOW THE PROBLEM IS WHETHER THEY HAVE ADEQUATE INFORMATION TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE , AND IF SO WHETHER THEIR VOTES WILL BE RIGGED.
THERE STILL WILL BE SOME AMOUNT OF INTIMIDATION AND SCARE TACTICS , BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THE VOTER DECIDES WHO TO VOTE FOR. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2006 : 17:22:57
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kayjatta,  information = media, proganda, being seen, listening and lots of other things that the opposition has not done. Yaya is ahead on points on that one.
read Kons posting on 9 aug 2006, sound to me like it is a done deal. |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2006 : 18:05:20
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you are right jambo.I also tend to believe it a "done deal". jammeh has all the benefits of an incumbent on his side.He will be ready to mobilize all the national resources at his disposal , media ( tv , radio , newspapers), money , human resources (including civil servants)government vehicles and the security apparatus to launch the most vigorous and nasty campaign you could imagine. Besides he also has Squealer (of George Orwell's ANIMAL FARM)on his side.
But we cannot give up too quickly.We have to wait for all the forces to play out to the full. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 14:06:22
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Kayjatta, on my last trip it was mentioned that the oppostion were moaning because they did not get air time on TV, so what, what happened to personal appearances, look at the bantaba there has been more campaigning by members than by the politians.
i pointed out that they need to put up or shut up.
Nothing was stopping them going to basse and speaking to the people direct, even Yaya would not have arrested them.
What happened to a oster campaign, i am sure some people in the ruruals areas ar wondering if the opposition is alive. They could have gone to Senegal and broadcast on their radio stns if they thought that gambian radio would not help.
I jsut wish they had a more grassroots approach.
they can travel USA but not within their own country. People are not stupid, they will see thses things for themselves.
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 18:49:10
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quote:
Originally posted by jambo
Kayjatta, on my last trip it was mentioned that the oppostion were moaning because they did not get air time on TV, so what, what happened to personal appearances, look at the bantaba there has been more campaigning by members than by the politians.
i pointed out that they need to put up or shut up.
Nothing was stopping them going to basse and speaking to the people direct, even Yaya would not have arrested them.
What happened to a oster campaign, i am sure some people in the ruruals areas ar wondering if the opposition is alive. They could have gone to Senegal and broadcast on their radio stns if they thought that gambian radio would not help.
I jsut wish they had a more grassroots approach.
they can travel USA but not within their own country. People are not stupid, they will see thses things for themselves.
Jambo that was a quote form John Major the then Prime minister of Britain when he was facing revolt within his party in the run up to the elections with Tony Blair. Many in his party did challenge him for leadership of the Labor Party. He was talking to John Redwood another Conservative MP, who did not make up his mind but was bashing at John. Eventually Redwood was the sole candidate against him but lost 218 to 89 votes.
He infact, out of frustration, did call an MP " a dimwit politician.." which the press featured as being harsh and out of place.
Tony Blair took that revolt within the labor party by responding to Joh Major that the difference between him and John Major is that he ".... does not follow his party but leads it.." (paraphrase)
I always watch PRIME MINISTER'S QUESTIONS in the House of Commons for nearly 10 years now. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2006 : 11:34:53
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Kons, that was not a john major quote, that was a quote from people in the streets, i first heard if in New York. It is black street slang,   it means put something down, (ie backup your words, or be quiet). Lots of MPs are like  that not just in gambia or uk but politicians in general. they get voted in and then forget what they promised. 
I am sure you knew that |
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