 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
somita
United Kingdom
163 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Sep 2006 : 11:34:35
|
I often believed that there is a parallel view point between Gambians living abroad and Gambians at home, Yesterday's election results makes it all more evident that our views are parallel and not converging. Most Gambians abroad were permistic on the out come of the result for the opposition, however the mergin of the defeat is unthinkable and shamefully, its beyond believe. A poll of Gambians living abraod would reverse the election results in favour of the opposition.Unfortunately for the opposition, its only Gambians living at home who have a say and can make the difference in this situation.
One would beg to pop the question why such a parallel view when we are all struggling a better Gambia or are we? The obvious and simplitic answer that comes to mind is that Gambians abroad are exposed to other societies and governance therefore could see the potential of Gambia and its people, on the other hand Gambians at home are face with the day to day struggle and reality, bombarded with Jammeh's message 365 days a year,which ofcourse affects their view point when it comes to voting. I watch a DVD "Out FOX", about Fox news channel and believe me even the most educated view point can be tilted with box at the corner of your living room called TV.
The opposition politicians in The Gambia do not help the situation, they are conservitive with the reality on the ground, they make us (Gambian abroad) believe that Jammeh is less popular with the electorate when infact the reverse is true. How they mis-calculate Jammeh popularity and Gambians voting patterns is beyong my understanding.
All said and done, the most important issue to us all today, i believe is how to reconcile our views with that of our brothers and sisters at home. They seems to think they progressing, perhaps some needs to tell them they are not, may be someone who is not a politician. Lets have a debate about Gambia and how to make it better place for all, we have been given a tyrant again for another 5yrs, we can either decide to waste the five years arguing about the results or doing what is good for our country and people.
|
|
|
shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 24 Sep 2006 : 15:45:36
|
Good points Somita, however i don't think that Jammeh is anymore popular than he already is. The statistic reveals that Jammeh increase his vote margin by about 54,000 even though there is an increase in the number of registered voters of about 170,000 in this year's elections. The opposition were ******ed by a staggering 274,700(41%) registered voters who abstained from voting. The big question is who are these people and why did they refuse to vote?. Was it because they were put off by the opposition's inability to unite? Did they feel too intimidated or were they too scared to vote, due to the violence that ensued in the last elections? Was it the rain factor? Or were they simply not bothered? I'll leave you to guess. The statistics also revealed that more people abstained from voting than those who voted for Jammeh. Below is the statistics i manage to pull up:
-------------------------------2001--------------------2006
No. of registered voters-------500,000-----------------670,000
NO. who vote for Jammeh------211,840(52.96%)---------266,037(67.3%)
NO. who vote for darboe------130,680(32.67%)---------106,731(27%)
No. who voted for others-----57,480(14.37)-----------23,718(6%)
Voter turnout----------------400,000(80%)------------395,300(59%)
Absent voters----------------100,000(20%)------------274,700(41%) |
Edited by - shaka on 24 Sep 2006 15:54:29 |
 |
|
|
Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 24 Sep 2006 : 21:37:46
|
I think bro somita had a valid point.Many of us abroad have lost touch with realities at home.Before you tell a hungry man wash your hands and eat with us,just tell him to join in the eating for the food might finish b4 he finishes washing his hands.
Gambians are fedup with the oppositions lack of trust in themselves and how do they the opposition expect the people to blindly vote them in without any assurance of trust?
I am sure more surprises for the opposition came the parliamentary elections.
Peace,
Janyanfara |
|
|
|
blackerberry2004
69 Posts |
Posted - 24 Sep 2006 : 22:57:09
|
quote:
Originally posted by shaka
Good points Somita, however i don't think that Jammeh is anymore popular than he already is. The statistic reveals that Jammeh increase his vote margin by about 54,000 even though there is an increase in the number of registered voters of about 170,000 in this year's elections. The opposition were ******ed by a staggering 274,700(41%) registered voters who abstained from voting. The big question is who are these people and why did they refuse to vote?. Was it because they were put off by the opposition's inability to unite? Did they feel too intimidated or were they too scared to vote, due to the violence that ensued in the last elections? Was it the rain factor? Or were they simply not bothered? I'll leave you to guess. The statistics also revealed that more people abstained from voting than those who voted for Jammeh. Below is the statistics i manage to pull up:
-------------------------------2001--------------------2006
No. of registered voters-------500,000-----------------670,000
NO. who vote for Jammeh------211,840(52.96%)---------266,037(67.3%)
NO. who vote for darboe------130,680(32.67%)---------106,731(27%)
No. who voted for others-----57,480(14.37)-----------23,718(6%)
Voter turnout----------------400,000(80%)------------395,300(59%)
Absent voters----------------100,000(20%)------------274,700(41%)
Yaya is the ABSOLUTE WINNER. We need to face reality. The voter apathy claim is not valid. If we have the same high turn out of 80% as we did in 2001, Yaya would still have defeated them. For instance, 80% turn out of 670k voters is 536k votes. Currently 395k voted which leaves a different of 141k. If all 141k went to Darboe(which is unlikely), then he would have 247k which is still less than Yaya's 266k.
Let's face it, the man is loved by the people or the people have no faith in the opposition. We need to accept democracy or we are not better than Yaya.
I suggest the opposition come up with a new presidential candidate (just one) in 2011. As for the parliamentary election, they need to come together or have a noncompete agreement where only one opposition candidate would challenge the APRC in each constituent. |
|
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 25 Sep 2006 : 02:31:59
|
In my opinion most of Somita's points are valid. The voter aparty theory appears to be at play due to dis-orientations to choose which opposition allaince and leaderships to count on or to salvage them.
I believe the opposition parties got it wrong by focusing more in power struggles and breaking ups rather than penetrating the grassroots to sell their manifestos and how to mobilise the support they need from the electorate.
|
Edited by - kobo on 25 Sep 2006 02:38:39 |
|
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 25 Sep 2006 : 13:33:10
|
Interesting reading and updates under
Gambia: Gambia Ruler Accused of Harassing His Rivals
http://allafrica.com/stories/200609220050.html
Gambia: The Politicians Have Spoken, Now It is the Turn of the Citizens of the Gambia to Decide
http://allafrica.com/stories/200609210602.html
In democracry do we need lLaw Enforcement Agencies taking sides openly as "Green Boy"? In "free and fair" did we expected these blonders and authoritarian exercises; hiring, firing, blackmail (FEAR FACTOR!) and manipulation of IEC personel? Under "Freedom of Expressions" do we expect seeing GRTS dominated by one of the main parties for FEAR and terror against journalism? And finally why contest if it was declared that "If you want to President .........You have the longest wait like vulture.....I am not giving up power...30 yrs or more!"
Gambia has a special democracy and the society don't need EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT! Therefore Ebra stated each society has or deserves its own democracy. NADD became the strategic alliance for HOPE AND SUCCESS to many gambians abroad but failed as it got shattered to penetrate Gambians at home.
HOPE AND NOT FEAR
"YOU EITHER HAVE IT AND LIVE FOREVER OR CONTINUE TO TRY" |
|
|
|
Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2006 : 12:39:34
|
In total agreement with Somita. i share the two worlds.
|
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
|
|
|
|
somita
United Kingdom
163 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2006 : 17:33:02
|
If my posting are true, the next question is how can we reconcile with our brothers at home, im off to Gambia in November (not a fact finding mission), i will talking to the ordinary and the humble in the streets up and down the hood looking for answers.
I really want to know what is going on the in minds of the humble down there, because its no longer valid to call all APRC supports the green boys. My opinion is we have to engage our brothers and sisters otherwise we will sink together. |
|
|
|
Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2006 : 03:46:09
|
quote:
Originally posted by somita
If my posting are true, the next question is how can we reconcile with our brothers at home, im off to Gambia in November (not a fact finding mission), i will talking to the ordinary and the humble in the streets up and down the hood looking for answers.
I really want to know what is going on the in minds of the humble down there, because its no longer valid to call all APRC supports the green boys. My opinion is we have to engage our brothers and sisters otherwise we will sink together.
Bro.Somita,
The two worlds-seeing Jammeh as a bad guy, and others seeing him as a good guy-those that voted him.
But lets agree that all the human rights violations are done by this regime. If that is to go by, then Gambians are stocked in knowing what the truth is, or at least to say those that voted the man are not affected by all the registered atrocities. This is my view of your posting, and i honestly agree with u. Look at the case for Duta Kamaso. No one is saying anything. We still call them the names they deserve. see my reconciliation project under Burang's posting.
|
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
