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Momodou
Denmark
11744 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Jan 2007 : 17:02:13
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Editorial
THE CHANGING FACE OF POLITICS IN THE GAMBIA
During the 2002 National Assembly Elections, the UDP boycotted the elections, NRP put up 10 candidates and PDOIS put up 5. There was only one Independent candidate. Voting took place in only 15 constituencies, 33 went unopposed. Despite the campaign for people to boycott the elections NRP won one seat out of 10 and PDOIS won 2 seats out of five. The APRC therefore had a majority of 45 against the 3 seats held by PDOIS and NRP.
In this National Assembly election there is no boycott. The UDP promised to put up 48 candidates but ended up with 29. The NRP came up with 8 candidates. The NADD put 5 candidates and developed a tactical alliance with 8 independent candidates. Four candidates who formed a tactical line with NADD either arrived late for nomination or withdrew to give a chance to another independent candidate.
Only five seats remain uncontested. This means that elections will take place in 43 constituencies.
In many places the opposition did not clash. Serrekunda Central appears to be an exception.
The tactical line proposed is for the opposition to put up one candidate in every constituency against an APRC candidate.
In Serrekunda Central the seat is held by the opposition. However, another opposition candidate is contesting under the UDP.
What is however interesting is that now people see a candidate as becoming more important than the party tag. This has given rise to an increase in the number of Independent candidates as well as the selection of many new APRC candidates after a long selection process.
The results will shake the foundation of Gambian politics. Success of the independent candidates is likely to motivate many people especially women to build confidence to participate as candidates. Needless to say, the competition for candidature is likely to become more intense with all the political parties.
It is difficult to predict the results. However, one can easily see the trend towards greater participation by aspirants as candidates within and outside parties. The disappearance of people like Dembo Bojang from the scene and the appearance of relatively young candidates confirm that the face of Gambian politics is likely to change forever after the declaration of the results.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 005/2007, 12-14 January, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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