|
Momodou
Denmark
11835 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Oct 2006 : 14:16:14
|
Foroyaa Editorial:
HAVE THE OPPOSITION ACCEPTED THE RESULTS?
FOROYAA has been receiving questions regarding the acceptance or non – acceptance of the results of the presidential election.
This question has to be addressed from a legal angle and from the angle of the expressions of the presidential candidates and their parties.
In terms of the constitution, section 49 states that “any registered political party which has participated in the presidential election or an independent candidate who has participated in such an election may apply to the supreme court to determine the validity of the election of a president by filing a petition within ten days of the declaration of the results of the election.”
The results were declared on the 23rd September 2006. Today is October 2nd 2006.
FOROYAA has yet to receive information that any party has filed an election petition questioning the validity of the election.
Furthermore, the (elections) decree makes it a requirement for the polling agents and counting agents to sign.
Section 71 subsection (3) of the Elections Decree makes it a requirement for the polling agents to sign or thumb print the report at the close of the polls and put down their comments, queries or observations. Foroyaa has been investigating and could not come up with a polling station where agents of the opposition had refused to sign. We are aware of comments where a certain polling station in Brikama is said to be situated in the home of a cabinet member.
Lastly section 80 subsection (2) of the Elections Decree makes it a requirement for each counting agent of a party to sign or thumb print the report on the counting of the votes before sending it to the commission. Foroyaa has been investigating and is yet to receive any report from any counting agent who refused to sign.
FOROYAA has also reviewed the Elections Decree and has seen no section providing for the presidential candidates to sign to endorse or reject the results. If any body has information on the source of the claim that there is a form that the opposition has not signed Foroyaa is interested in the information. As it stands party supporters should ask their party leaders whether they have filed election petitions to call on the Supreme Court to invalidate the results.
Foroyaa has asked Halifa Sallah. What he condemns without reservation is the broadcasting of false information by Momodou sanyang of the GRTS about his nomination papers and the suppression of his right to broadcast to the nation to clarify the issue on the last day of the campaign. He accused Momodou Sanyang of professional irresponsibility and promised to follow the mater until the whole nation discovers the lies spread by the TV and Radio to defend his integrity.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 84/2006, 2-3 October, 2006
|
|
Topic Locked
