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Momodou
Denmark
11737 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 17:55:42
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GOVERNMENT PROVIDES D33.4 MILLION TO IEC
By Abdoulie G. Dibba
The Government of The Gambia provided IEC with funds to the tune of D33.481, 869.00 (Thirty-three million, four hundred and eighty-one thousand, eight hundred and sixty-nine dalasis) for the conducting of the 2006 registration of voters and the Presidential election.
These revelations were made by the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, Hon. Bala Gaye, while responding to a question raised by the Member for Illiasa, Hon. Kebba E.A. Touray, at the National Assembly. SoS Gaye told deputies that the amount includes funds required by other institutions of government that were actively involved in the whole exercise e.g. The Gambia Police Force, The Army, The NIA and State Guards. Further more SoS Gaye said part of the funds will also be used for the upcoming National Assembly elections in the year 2007. He concluded by saying that the final figures on government expenses will only be known after the 2007 National Assembly Elections.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 001/2007, 3-4 January, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 18:51:50
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| For many in Gambia, IEC is just another arm of government or the APRC. All those working for IEC also believe they are to serve Jammeh government and APRC interest. The IEC is one false way used by this regime to cement their grounds of political dominance. All is one big WASTE OF TIME AND RESOURCES. |
Karamba |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 18:51:50
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| For many in Gambia, IEC is just another arm of government or the APRC. All those working for IEC also believe they are to serve Jammeh government and APRC interest. The IEC is one false way used by this regime to cement their grounds of political dominance. All is one big WASTE OF TIME AND RESOURCES. |
Karamba |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 19:11:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Karamba
For many in Gambia, IEC is just another arm of government or the APRC. All those working for IEC also believe they are to serve Jammeh government and APRC interest. The IEC is one false way used by this regime to cement their grounds of political dominance. All is one big WASTE OF TIME AND RESOURCES.
What is the other option? A body other than the IEC that would conduct elctions in The Gambia? Or maybe it should be taken back to the Ministry of Local Gov't, its place prior to 1994. |
madiss |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 19:11:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Karamba
For many in Gambia, IEC is just another arm of government or the APRC. All those working for IEC also believe they are to serve Jammeh government and APRC interest. The IEC is one false way used by this regime to cement their grounds of political dominance. All is one big WASTE OF TIME AND RESOURCES.
What is the other option? A body other than the IEC that would conduct elctions in The Gambia? Or maybe it should be taken back to the Ministry of Local Gov't, its place prior to 1994. |
madiss |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 21:42:26
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Madiss,
The concept and principle of IEC are good and not peculiar to Gambia. Even DRC has IEC. It is their conduct that is dubious. There was Electoral Office under the Local Government Ministry in those days. Though under government, it was quite independent without that glossy name. Now IEC bears the glossy name IND but by conduct they are strictly controlled. |
Karamba |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 21:42:26
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Madiss,
The concept and principle of IEC are good and not peculiar to Gambia. Even DRC has IEC. It is their conduct that is dubious. There was Electoral Office under the Local Government Ministry in those days. Though under government, it was quite independent without that glossy name. Now IEC bears the glossy name IND but by conduct they are strictly controlled. |
Karamba |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 23:19:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Karamba
Madiss,
The concept and principle of IEC are good and not peculiar to Gambia. Even DRC has IEC. It is their conduct that is dubious. There was Electoral Office under the Local Government Ministry in those days. Though under government, it was quite independent without that glossy name. Now IEC bears the glossy name IND but by conduct they are strictly controlled.
Karamba am confused here. You mean things were alot better when matters relating to electioneering were held as an integral part of gov't business? I beg to differ. The registrations of aliens prior to elctions and the buying of votes was there before 1994. Things could only be improved and the Gambians must stand tall and should show alot of character to refuse corruption and uphold the truth. IEC is manned by Gambians, if ever the ruling party interferes with operations, what is stopping those employees who are equally Gambians to re-sign? Most would not until they are shown the door, simply becos they have shaken integrity. IEC or wat ever name we call it, is here to stay albeit improvements may be necessary. Whatever we say, we can only hope that things improve, cos you know wat ? It can only be manned by Gambians. Only Gambians. Until you tell me there are no more capable Gambians to handle that office, that i would invoke divine intervention or probably we turn to technical assistance from the democratic west. |
madiss |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 23:19:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Karamba
Madiss,
The concept and principle of IEC are good and not peculiar to Gambia. Even DRC has IEC. It is their conduct that is dubious. There was Electoral Office under the Local Government Ministry in those days. Though under government, it was quite independent without that glossy name. Now IEC bears the glossy name IND but by conduct they are strictly controlled.
Karamba am confused here. You mean things were alot better when matters relating to electioneering were held as an integral part of gov't business? I beg to differ. The registrations of aliens prior to elctions and the buying of votes was there before 1994. Things could only be improved and the Gambians must stand tall and should show alot of character to refuse corruption and uphold the truth. IEC is manned by Gambians, if ever the ruling party interferes with operations, what is stopping those employees who are equally Gambians to re-sign? Most would not until they are shown the door, simply becos they have shaken integrity. IEC or wat ever name we call it, is here to stay albeit improvements may be necessary. Whatever we say, we can only hope that things improve, cos you know wat ? It can only be manned by Gambians. Only Gambians. Until you tell me there are no more capable Gambians to handle that office, that i would invoke divine intervention or probably we turn to technical assistance from the democratic west. |
madiss |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 23:40:43
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Madiba,
Let's step aback. The issue is not about GAMBIANS MANNING IEC. The big issue is about the way and manner IEC is being played in the hands of APRC and their entire make up. When Electoral Office was under Local Government, it was INDEPENDENT. There were occasional cases of false IDs and alien registration. These were challenged on the spot and opposition agents had no fear of intimidation. Many prospective voters were stamped DISALLOWED. There are people still alive who could testify to the affairs of Electoral Office. No claims of perfection. By all standards, they performed far better than what IEC is now doing. Momodou Soma Jobe who is now beating his chest as APRC mouthpiece was a PPP Registration Agent. He toured all the length and bredth of Gambia to impose false prospective voters. They never got through while NCP Registration agents stayed watching. There was very strict system. If you wish to get more on this, find out from the Records Office and they will help. Registration Officers and Electoral Clerks were appointed as any civil servant and not on Party Lines. Contending political parties were free to play their games but that was not advanced on the desk of the Electoral Officer. Now, IEC Officials and their Chairperson are appointed by THE PRESIDENT. They are loyal not to people and the laws but to THE PRESIDENT. Does this make anything to you ? |
Karamba |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 23:40:43
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Madiba,
Let's step aback. The issue is not about GAMBIANS MANNING IEC. The big issue is about the way and manner IEC is being played in the hands of APRC and their entire make up. When Electoral Office was under Local Government, it was INDEPENDENT. There were occasional cases of false IDs and alien registration. These were challenged on the spot and opposition agents had no fear of intimidation. Many prospective voters were stamped DISALLOWED. There are people still alive who could testify to the affairs of Electoral Office. No claims of perfection. By all standards, they performed far better than what IEC is now doing. Momodou Soma Jobe who is now beating his chest as APRC mouthpiece was a PPP Registration Agent. He toured all the length and bredth of Gambia to impose false prospective voters. They never got through while NCP Registration agents stayed watching. There was very strict system. If you wish to get more on this, find out from the Records Office and they will help. Registration Officers and Electoral Clerks were appointed as any civil servant and not on Party Lines. Contending political parties were free to play their games but that was not advanced on the desk of the Electoral Officer. Now, IEC Officials and their Chairperson are appointed by THE PRESIDENT. They are loyal not to people and the laws but to THE PRESIDENT. Does this make anything to you ? |
Karamba |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 00:23:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Karamba
Madiba,
Let's step aback. The issue is not about GAMBIANS MANNING IEC. The big issue is about the way and manner IEC is being played in the hands of APRC and their entire make up. When Electoral Office was under Local Government, it was INDEPENDENT. There were occasional cases of false IDs and alien registration. These were challenged on the spot and opposition agents had no fear of intimidation. Many prospective voters were stamped DISALLOWED. There are people still alive who could testify to the affairs of Electoral Office. No claims of perfection. By all standards, they performed far better than what IEC is now doing. Momodou Soma Jobe who is now beating his chest as APRC mouthpiece was a PPP Registration Agent. He toured all the length and bredth of Gambia to impose false prospective voters. They never got through while NCP Registration agents stayed watching. There was very strict system. If you wish to get more on this, find out from the Records Office and they will help. Registration Officers and Electoral Clerks were appointed as any civil servant and not on Party Lines. Contending political parties were free to play their games but that was not advanced on the desk of the Electoral Officer. Now, IEC Officials and their Chairperson are appointed by THE PRESIDENT. They are loyal not to people and the laws but to THE PRESIDENT. Does this make anything to you ?
Karamba,
The cases were not occasional. They were rampant. I will not call out the Country of origin of certain people who PPP politicians registered. However i will give you a few examples. Serrekunda East is a case in point where these people have become automatic gambians becos they were given birth certs to IDs and eventually voters cards to enable vote. These people voted massively for the ruling PPP then. Another places are Basse, Farafenni, Barra, Lamin Kombo north etc. Bakau maybe amongst the few constituencies then where it was almost difficult for aliens to be registered or vote unchallenged.
I agree that the appointment of IEC officials by President is suspicious but I still maintain that Gambians should be sincere and brave enough to carry out their duties withou FEAR or FAVOUR, if difficult let them honourably resign their positions. If that is a constitutional power then members in the NA should work towrds repealing that and a better way of appointment sought.
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madiss |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 00:23:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Karamba
Madiba,
Let's step aback. The issue is not about GAMBIANS MANNING IEC. The big issue is about the way and manner IEC is being played in the hands of APRC and their entire make up. When Electoral Office was under Local Government, it was INDEPENDENT. There were occasional cases of false IDs and alien registration. These were challenged on the spot and opposition agents had no fear of intimidation. Many prospective voters were stamped DISALLOWED. There are people still alive who could testify to the affairs of Electoral Office. No claims of perfection. By all standards, they performed far better than what IEC is now doing. Momodou Soma Jobe who is now beating his chest as APRC mouthpiece was a PPP Registration Agent. He toured all the length and bredth of Gambia to impose false prospective voters. They never got through while NCP Registration agents stayed watching. There was very strict system. If you wish to get more on this, find out from the Records Office and they will help. Registration Officers and Electoral Clerks were appointed as any civil servant and not on Party Lines. Contending political parties were free to play their games but that was not advanced on the desk of the Electoral Officer. Now, IEC Officials and their Chairperson are appointed by THE PRESIDENT. They are loyal not to people and the laws but to THE PRESIDENT. Does this make anything to you ?
Karamba,
The cases were not occasional. They were rampant. I will not call out the Country of origin of certain people who PPP politicians registered. However i will give you a few examples. Serrekunda East is a case in point where these people have become automatic gambians becos they were given birth certs to IDs and eventually voters cards to enable vote. These people voted massively for the ruling PPP then. Another places are Basse, Farafenni, Barra, Lamin Kombo north etc. Bakau maybe amongst the few constituencies then where it was almost difficult for aliens to be registered or vote unchallenged.
I agree that the appointment of IEC officials by President is suspicious but I still maintain that Gambians should be sincere and brave enough to carry out their duties withou FEAR or FAVOUR, if difficult let them honourably resign their positions. If that is a constitutional power then members in the NA should work towrds repealing that and a better way of appointment sought.
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madiss |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 01:28:03
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Madiba,
I will pick on from your suggestion that the NA can do something about lack of sanity in the electoral process. That is when they see the country and not only their own pockets. You are right also about the alien registration. That is a tradition fashioned by the PPP. There are lot of wrongs today that germinated on Gambian soil by the PPP. Perhaps I sould have made the distinction between what was Electoral Office and what was PPP. Yes, you are right, the PPP government did all they could to qualify alien voters. The Electoral Office was proper in their duty. The arrogant PPP candidates who needed the votes to retain seats not just MPs but being Ministers too were into all dirty games to make up the numbers. PPP is the mother of electoral fraud. The point is, the Electoral System was not twisted like this. They (PPP) taught Jammeh. His political school masters were no other than the very PPP. Some times it leaves man with the feeling that Jammeh should be left to prevail over these PPP guards who created the conditions for his emergence. Those of us are fighting for total justice but in no way do we want to see PPP or anything like them back. Thank you for keeping the records on track. |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 01:28:03
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Madiba,
I will pick on from your suggestion that the NA can do something about lack of sanity in the electoral process. That is when they see the country and not only their own pockets. You are right also about the alien registration. That is a tradition fashioned by the PPP. There are lot of wrongs today that germinated on Gambian soil by the PPP. Perhaps I sould have made the distinction between what was Electoral Office and what was PPP. Yes, you are right, the PPP government did all they could to qualify alien voters. The Electoral Office was proper in their duty. The arrogant PPP candidates who needed the votes to retain seats not just MPs but being Ministers too were into all dirty games to make up the numbers. PPP is the mother of electoral fraud. The point is, the Electoral System was not twisted like this. They (PPP) taught Jammeh. His political school masters were no other than the very PPP. Some times it leaves man with the feeling that Jammeh should be left to prevail over these PPP guards who created the conditions for his emergence. Those of us are fighting for total justice but in no way do we want to see PPP or anything like them back. Thank you for keeping the records on track. |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 01:46:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Karamba
Madiba,
I will pick on from your suggestion that the NA can do something about lack of sanity in the electoral process. That is when they see the country and not only their own pockets. You are right also about the alien registration. That is a tradition fashioned by the PPP. There are lot of wrongs today that germinated on Gambian soil by the PPP. Perhaps I sould have made the distinction between what was Electoral Office and what was PPP. Yes, you are right, the PPP government did all they could to qualify alien voters. The Electoral Office was proper in their duty. The arrogant PPP candidates who needed the votes to retain seats not just MPs but being Ministers too were into all dirty games to make up the numbers. PPP is the mother of electoral fraud. The point is, the Electoral System was not twisted like this. They (PPP) taught Jammeh. His political school masters were no other than the very PPP. Some times it leaves man with the feeling that Jammeh should be left to prevail over these PPP guards who created the conditions for his emergence. Those of us are fighting for total justice but in no way do we want to see PPP or anything like them back. Thank you for keeping the records on track.
Karamba, we have a culture of silence, indifference and a lack of adequate faith. Yaya per se has not wronged me directly as such but am concerned. We are normally afraid to venture into the unknown.
Our people must wake up from their oblivious slumber. We need to educate the masses that real power belongs to them. Besides, if our people are empowered then they shall own their destinies. But who shall empower them? Opposition? or people like us in the diaspora? I can tell you that there are people in the countryside who don't care abt the crumbs falling from the APRC or PPP tables. This is becos these people feed themselves and are not hungry. They own businesses , modest ones and still content with wat they earn.
The Gambian solution is about awareness. God help us! |
madiss |
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