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Momodou
Denmark
11833 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Nov 2006 : 14:22:52
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Foroyaa Editorial:
WHEN IS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS DUE?
Many people have been asking Foroyaa when National Assembly election is to be held.
The date for National Assembly election is fixed by the constitution just as the date for presidential election was fixed until 18th August when the constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, 1997 (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2006 came into force to change the situation for the presidency.
Before the amendment of the constitution, presidential election had to take place sixty days before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent president. If this were to be applied, this year presidential election would have taken place in October. The constitution was amended to remove the fixed time for the holding of presidential elections so that they could hold the presidential election in September instead of October.
In making the amendment, they had to also amend section 96 of the constitution, which had linked the date for the holding of National Assembly election to the date of election of the president. Instead of National Assembly elections being held three months after the date of the election of the president, now, it is increased to four. Hence the constitutional provision now reads: There shall be a general election of all the members of the National Assembly which shall be held four months after the date of election of office of the president. Hence National Assembly election should take place in January 2007, on the date that will mark exactly four months after the election of the president.
Foroyaa has reliably learnt that the inter-party committee has met and that there is plan to conduct a non-partisan civic education programme to enlighten the electorate on how parties, their leaders and supporters should respect the Memorandum of Understanding signed by all parties. Notwithstanding this, the IEC and the National Council for Civic Education should start right away to enlighten the electorate on the National Assembly elections. The voters should know that nobody has a right to bargain for post or prestige with their voters' cards. No person should be in possession of another person's voters' cards under the pretext that one will provide surprises or loans. Such should be explained as offences against the election laws of the country. Each person should hold on his/her voter card. The constitution says that only a person who is 18 years or above should get a voters card. Such a person should be mature enough to safeguard his/her voters' card. Anybody who gives his/her voters card to another person is not fit to be a sovereign Gambian citizen. Such a person is only fit to be a slave.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.95/06, 3-5 November, 2006
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2006 : 15:15:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Momodou
Foroyaa Editorial:
................. Anybody who gives his/her voters card to another person is not fit to be a sovereign Gambian citizen. Such a person is only fit to be a slave.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.95/06, 3-5 November, 2006
what type of statement is this. irresponsible comments from people aspiring to lead a nation. this is stupid. in a democratic environment people have a right to make individual and collective decisions to further their interests.
this is a stupid comment. |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2006 : 17:50:49
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NJUCKS: you probably took the statement out of context. The way I see it is that if anyone trades his/her voters' card for cash or kind , that person has basically given up his/her sovereignty .
People who usually do this do so under ignorance and/or inducements without fully understanding the severety of their action. It simply dehumanizes them. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2006 : 18:15:02
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Njuks
Do you have a bone to pick with Ayatollah NADD? if i may borrow from Nyaringbanna |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2006 : 19:41:34
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quote:
Originally posted by kondorong
Njuks
Do you have a bone to pick with Ayatollah NADD? if i may borrow from Nyaringbanna
no i dont. but i think Kayjatta would also agree that if we appoint ourselves as 'educators' such language is inappropiate especially from people who pass as Polymaths!
It is insulting. such language would only encourage MORE votes to change hands dont you think, and this more likely from people who are totally aware of what they are doing. |
Edited by - njucks on 07 Nov 2006 19:42:27 |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2006 : 22:58:37
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NJUCKS: you probably took the statement out of context. The way I see it is that if anyone trades his/her voters' card for cash or kind , that person has basically given up his/her sovereignty .
Kayjatta, do not attempt to gloss the Ayatollah's statement. Your interpretation is right but only in respect of the first part. The second part is unequivocal. It means anyone who trades his/her voters card only derserve being a slave.
Njucks, you are right. The statement is not only silly but also insulting but are u suprise? Am not. That party is a bunch of loose canons, big mouths, fantasists, you name them.
God save the Gambia.
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I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2006 : 17:20:03
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Yeah , I agree that language is a little too tough . I wouldn't use it , but it is a restatement of what the outcome of selling your vote is which is "enslavement" by the powers that be.
Yesterday , as the Americans went to the polls I ask an elderly man whether he voted , he proudly told me "yeah , if i don't then I have no say and I can't sit down and then complain everyday".Having no say in the affairs of your nation seems only next to slavery.
But you are right the language could be toned down a little bit. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2006 : 17:30:25
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Isn't it a fact that slaves are denied the right to vote , so by giving away your right to vote logically would render you a slave?
The style maybe candid but isn't it the truth.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2006 : 17:40:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
Isn't it a fact that slaves are denied the right to vote , so by giving away your right to vote logically would render you a slave?
The style maybe candid but isn't it the truth.
Peace
Sister Omega
i couldn't say its logical. thats not logic. denying people to vote is different from people willfully not voting.no body is denying anyone anything, the fact that they have voters' cards shows this.
also Kayjatta in many countries people are disillusioned by the politicians, and to register their voice they decide not to vote.
some call it a protest vote others called it voter apathy. some times one is not convinced by any of the politicians.
editors of newspapers are/should be well travelled, widely read and very cultured people. this gives them the ability to compile articles touching all aspects of life into what we call a newspaper.
it is not a medium to insult people. |
Edited by - njucks on 08 Nov 2006 17:41:19 |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2006 : 18:45:58
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you are right Njucks. Infact voter apathy is a bigger problem here in U.S. than in the Gambia.The voter turn out of 59 percent in the Gambia's last election is more that the 51 percent voter turn out of the last presidential election in the U.S.
But there is a difference between "refusing to vote" and "selling your vote".The former suggest that you are in control of your destiny while the later suggest that someone else is in control of your destiny.That is the problem. |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2006 : 20:52:11
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Sister Omega, Notwithstanding any logical connotation, calling someone a slave either expressly or impliedly is an insult in Gambian culture. Who will not be offended if your parents are referred to as Jam [wollof word for slave]?
Kayjatta's conclusion that the statement has gone too far is correct and deserves commendation.
God save the Gambia.
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I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2006 : 20:52:19
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Selling your votes is like selling your soul. If anybody allow themselves to surrender their number one right as a citizen (right to vote) then, those people are responsible for their own actions.
We can use any adjective to describe the act, but as sister Omega said, it is the stinky truth and people need to hear it. It is time people own up to their actions and not blame anybody for their own irresponsible acts.
I can sympathize with those who are force to surrender their voters cards/rights to vote, but knowingly selling your voters card for a mega amount is pure ignorance and enslavement. You can spin it anyway you want, but the truth is the truth.
"The time is always right to do the right thing" |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2006 : 22:47:29
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Afang Dembo Baldeh, the only person who wil not be offended if his/her parents are referred to as 'Jam' is that person who is not inducted in the Gambian culture or his parents must have cursed him/her during the Holy month of Ramadan.
God save the Gambia. |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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