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Momodou
Denmark
11835 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Sep 2006 : 00:34:35
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CIVIL SOCIETY OBSERVERS IMPRESSED, BUT…
By Bubacarr K. Sowe and Fabakary B. Ceesay
The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) and the Coalition of Domestic Civil Society Organizations have described the Presidential Election as “generally peaceful,” even though there were isolated cases of disturbances in the voting process, which were resolved by the polling officers.
Giving an interim observer report on the elections at a press conference on Sunday at the Paradise Hotel in Kololi, Dr. Oumar Ndongo said the conduct of Electoral Commission and Polling Officers at the polling stations is commendable.
“Many of them were professional, courteous, polite and friendly to voters and facilitated the process smoothly. The IEC also deployed a team of monitors that were visibly present on the streets monitoring the process and addressing issues as they arose,” Dr. Ndongo said.
He added that voting materials and polling station manpower and equipment were sufficient, and they, as observers, did not observe any case of shortages of polling materials on polling day.
Notwithstanding, the civil society organizations have laid emphasis on few issues that need to be addressed in subsequent elections. Below are the points WACSOF raised:
1. A number of polling stations were located in the open or under trees. The open places provided no shelter or respite from the vagaries of the weather to both the electorate and the Polling Officers. The rams that lasted over two hours in some places across the country forced a number of polling stations to relocate temporarily and in some cases permanently without proper notice to the electorate. Some such polling stations were relocated to private residences and hotels, which were inappropriate for voting. This may have disenfranchised some voters.
2. It was observed that some polling stations were located in places of worship. It is usually advisable to locate polling stations in neutral places that would not arouse religious or other sentiments that would deter some of the electorate from going to exercise their franchise.
3. Civil Society observers feel that the information about the extension of the closing time for the polls was not communicated in a timely and proper manner to the polling officers and voters. It is likely therefore that some voters were disenfranchised in the process.
4. Arrangements made to convey election materials, officials and party agents from the polling stations to the constituency counting centres were inadequate. Upon close of polls, many of them had to wait for over six hours to be conveyed from the polling stations to the counting centres. Invariably, this led to a delay in the beginning of the vote counting process with the attendant effects of fatigue and sleep on both the officials, party agents and observers.
5. Civil Society observed a visible presence of large numbers of people in military fatigue in a number of polling stations across the country. The presence of these persons was a source of intimidation for many voters who registered their complaints in no uncertain terms to our observers.
6. Civil Society did not observe campaign posters of any of the other candidates apart from those of the APRC candidate. This raises issues about the fairness of the process and whether or not a level playing field was observed for all candidates.
While commending the IEC for the release of the official results. Civil Society appeals to the three candidates, the leadership of the political parties and their supporters to ensure a continuation of the peaceful atmosphere under which the election has been conducted. WACSOF and the Civil Society Coalition-The Gambia shall remain engaged in support of the democratic process in The Gambia and wishes all Gambians well.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 82/2006, 27-28 September, 2006
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