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Momodou
Denmark
11764 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Jan 2007 : 13:11:55
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Foroyaa Editorial
CANDIDATES NEED POLICE PROTECTION
The arrest of the Independent Candidate for Niamina East, Mr. Lamin Marenah, by officer Gibba of the Jareng Police and his detention over night which halted his campaign constitute the grossest negation of the spirit of a free and fair election.
An election can only be free and fair if a candidate is not subjected to any disadvantage that his opponent is not subjected to. There is no doubt that the last week of campaign is the most significant. Hence if a candidate is arrested overnight and asked to report on bail his campaign would be adversely affected.
All the observers should go on the ground right now rather than wait until the day of elections. Observers should be attached to vulnerable candidates who had been subjected to harassment and arrest. The IEC should provide such persons with adequate protection so that they will be free from harassment.
The Inspector General of Police should be issued with instructions by the IEC with immediacy.
The Election's Decree is clear. The IEC is the supreme authority responsible for guaranteeing the liability of free and fair election section 129 reads: "The Inspector General of Police shall, on the request of the Commission, assign to the Commission such number of police officers as the Commission may require during the periods of registration of voters and the conduct of election."
In this regard, it should be mandatory for the Inspector General of Police to be informed by all officers of the arrest of any candidate. Such information should be forwarded to the IEC with immediacy so that it will satisfy itself whether such arrest is based on something tangible or something frivolous.
The Independent candidates need more protection since they have been subjected to threats over the air that puts them in a disadvantageous situation. We hope the IEC will make maximum effort to ensure that candidates are treated with the respect deserved.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.009/2007, 22-23 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 - 23 Jan 2007 : 13:31:09
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From what is being reported, the damage is already done. If this election campaign is to prolong beyond a certain time frame, the next you expect is one of opposition or independent candidates getting killed. Let us not make any mistake about it. There is simply no law in Gambia. No jokes. |
Karamba |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2007 : 13:31:09
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From what is being reported, the damage is already done. If this election campaign is to prolong beyond a certain time frame, the next you expect is one of opposition or independent candidates getting killed. Let us not make any mistake about it. There is simply no law in Gambia. No jokes. |
Karamba |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2007 : 16:49:10
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The IEC needs to get its act together for Independent Candidates need to be able to be included within the electoral process without being bullied and harassed for participating within the political process.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2007 : 16:49:10
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The IEC needs to get its act together for Independent Candidates need to be able to be included within the electoral process without being bullied and harassed for participating within the political process.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Sanusi
70 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2007 : 21:18:47
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Sister Omega
Political maturity is the answer to the "crisis" and since APRC are relunctant to recognise that people have a right to vote for the party or individual of their choice, then certainly we are doomed. The IEC is powerless in the whole scene, the APRC hierachy must come out and address the current level of insecurity.
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Sanusi
70 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2007 : 21:18:47
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Sister Omega
Political maturity is the answer to the "crisis" and since APRC are relunctant to recognise that people have a right to vote for the party or individual of their choice, then certainly we are doomed. The IEC is powerless in the whole scene, the APRC hierachy must come out and address the current level of insecurity.
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2007 : 22:52:30
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Sanusi I think political maturity needs to evolve right a cross the political spectrum of Gambian politics. NA Candidates should be allowed to peacefully go about their lawful business to canvass votes without unnecessary acostment from the police beacuse then the police are themselves obstructing the political process.
I think these are the challenges African states face when forced to adopt an alien system of so called democracy. When in reality Traditional value systems still underpin the society prespectives of the voting system. Voters need to be made aware of their voting rights, and the significance is of electing the right NAM who they think can be in a position to representing their areas interests. Local interests maybe be different than National issues therefore this may need to be deliberated by Candidates, or maybe Local issues may mirror national ones. Whatever the electorate decides it is fundamental that they understand it is between themselves and the Ballot box. The political process should not be sabotaged by the police without substantilal evidence that the Candidate has committed an illegal offence which disqualifies him or her standing for election,
It is the job of IEC to inform the public about their civic duties and the IEC should have access to the National Media to broadcast the significance of the voting process to the General Public. This is of vital importance for both the illiterate and semi-illiterate in society to be able to cast their votes so that they can participate within the democratic process.
Peace
Sister Omega
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Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 24 Jan 2007 22:54:46 |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2007 : 22:52:30
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Sanusi I think political maturity needs to evolve right a cross the political spectrum of Gambian politics. NA Candidates should be allowed to peacefully go about their lawful business to canvass votes without unnecessary acostment from the police beacuse then the police are themselves obstructing the political process.
I think these are the challenges African states face when forced to adopt an alien system of so called democracy. When in reality Traditional value systems still underpin the society prespectives of the voting system. Voters need to be made aware of their voting rights, and the significance is of electing the right NAM who they think can be in a position to representing their areas interests. Local interests maybe be different than National issues therefore this may need to be deliberated by Candidates, or maybe Local issues may mirror national ones. Whatever the electorate decides it is fundamental that they understand it is between themselves and the Ballot box. The political process should not be sabotaged by the police without substantilal evidence that the Candidate has committed an illegal offence which disqualifies him or her standing for election,
It is the job of IEC to inform the public about their civic duties and the IEC should have access to the National Media to broadcast the significance of the voting process to the General Public. This is of vital importance for both the illiterate and semi-illiterate in society to be able to cast their votes so that they can participate within the democratic process.
Peace
Sister Omega
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Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 24 Jan 2007 22:54:46 |
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