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Momodou
Denmark
11734 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Aug 2006 : 23:09:27
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INTERVIEW WITH HALIFA SALLAH
ON THE IEC, THE NOMINATION OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND THE STATE OF THE OPPOSITION
Foroyaa: More terminations at the IEC. What is your reaction?
Halifa: First and foremost, it should be clear what the constitution says about the appointment, removal and tenure of office of members of the commission. Three institutions are responsible for the appointment of members of the commission. Three institutions are responsible for the appointment of the commission, Section 42 subsection (3) states that “The members of the commission shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission and the Public Service Commission. The question now arises: Have the Judicial Service and Public Service Commissions been consulted in all the appointments. The Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission is the Chief Justice. The Solicitor General is also a member. I would like to ask: If such people are consulted how was it possible to disregard section 42 subsection (5) (c) of the constitution in the appointment of Ex-Commission member, Mr. Mboob which states categorically that “A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a member of the commission if he or she is, or has at any time during such period of two years been, the holder of any office in any organisation that sponsors or otherwise supports, or has at any time sponsored or otherwise supported, a candidate for election as a member of the National Assembly or of any local government authority or if he or she has actively identified himself or herself with any such organisation.” Mr. Mboob was a cabinet minister who openly identified himself with the APRC. I cannot understand how the Judicial Service Commission and the Public Service Commission could have concurred with his appointment as a member of the Independent Electoral Commission.
Foroyaa: Do you accept his termination?
Halifa: The constitution says that “The President may remove a member of the commission from office for misconduct but before removing a member the President shall appoint a tribunal of three judges of a superior court to enquire into the matter and report on the facts.” A member of the commission shall be entitled to appear and be legally represented before the tribunal? I am not sure why Mr. Mboob and Mr. Sanneh are removed. The fact that no tribunal has been convened confirms that the members of the commission have no security of tenure.
Two wrongs therefore cannot bring about what is right. My real observation is that there is arbitrariness in appointing the members of the Commission. Their removal from office is also characterized by the same arbitrariness. The insecurity that characterized the offices of the commissioners should be addressed once and for all since this is an election year. The people should vote for political parties that are genuinely interested in building up an independent and impartial electoral commission.
Foroyaa: The President has said that they the majority will not allow the minority to dictate how politics is conducted in this country. He called on the IEC not to allow the opposition or the International Community to dictate to them. What is your view?
Halifa: This is exactly what the law says: Section 43 subsection (3) of the constitution states that “In the exercise of its functions under the constitution or any other law, the Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.”
What the President should assure is that the commission has all the resources required to be free from any control. The duty of all political forces is to expose the commission whenever it fails to do what the constitution and the law says it should do. It is our view that the commission should only abide by the dictate of the constitution, law, natural justice and fairness.
Needless to say, the fact that the president mentions majority and minority confirms that power belongs to the people. The people of the Gambia should give more value to themselves and their votes. Those who receive them become very powerful. Those who lack them are marginalized. The type of leaders who receive the votes of the people are a reflection of the type of people who live in a country. Democracy requires us to entrust power to the type of public trustees we want to manage our affairs for us.
Foroyaa: Do you see the threat as intimidation tactics?
Halifa: The people have a right to complain about intimidation. Leaders who expect to be commanders in chief of armies when they become elected will be seen as laughing stock if they allow themselves to be intimidated. Those who cannot take the heat should get out of the kitchen. I agree with one point, that is, we should all respect the MOU.
Foroyaa: How about the opposition. Are there any prospects of unity?
Halifa: The UDP/NRP alliance is calling for an enlargement of their alliance to include NADD. I cannot see how NADD can stand on a political platform and justify the resignation of the UDP and NRP leader from NADD and promote the candidature of one of them on their party ticket and completely abandon the five year transition characterized by the empowerment of the people and limitation of the powers of president. As flag bearer I have left the option for NADD to consider another flag bearer.
However this does not deter us from working. A candidate will emerge under a NADD ticket. We will make definite decisions in these coming days. We will organise one of the biggest rallies ever seen in this country to make our final announcement.
Foroyaa: We are poised for a three way race.
Halifa: The Gambian people want unity. We will pursue it to the end. We have toured the whole country. We have left Western Division, KMC and Banjul to allow room for negotiation. However we will soon have to take the bull by the horn to explain what really happened to give rise to the current situation.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 62/2006, 7-8 August, 2006
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2006 : 00:55:52
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| Its a shame that we cant get the opposition to unite as it is too late now i believe . At the end of the day we can only blame ourselves for the outcome of the coming elections if they turn out to favour jammeh. However the time will come when change will take place and those who failed us will be put to shame , history will judge them and we shant forgive them, I am broken hearthed and sick with sadness for my beloved country and people may ALLAH save us |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2006 : 01:09:31
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| Lets plan for 2011. I thnk time is on our side and lets all come out and congratulate the APRC come september if they win. After all we are not enemies but opponents in the way forward for our country. I HOPE. |
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