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Momodou
Denmark
11775 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Jan 2007 : 14:51:45
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INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE WINS POLLS UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES
Mr. Ebrima Solloh Jammeh who stood for the National Assembly Election on an Independent platform in Foni Bintang Constituency has won with a clear majority. This reporter caught up with him at Jinack Polling Station C34 while polling was on. He commended the process. On the reason why he decided to stand as an independent candidate, he said it started when the people of his constituency revealed their dissatisfaction towards the incumbent, Mr. Ebrima Janko Sanyang, when the process for selecting a candidate was being discussed. He said after frantic efforts to put up a new candidate, the desire of the constituency locals was ignored and that is why he was put in the picture as an independent candidate. He said the people were fed up with the incumbent and were ready to manifest that in the polls. He said people want no rubber stamps in the National Assembly. On the issue of the two men Yaya Sowe and one Mr. Jobe who were arrested, he said the men were caught canvassing for votes on behalf of his opponent contrary to the IEC rules and regulations, as it was a day of cessation of all political activities. He said after he was informed by his supporters of the activities of the two men he reported the matter to the IEC regional office at Brikama who also referred him to their staff on the ground and that was when he further took the matter to the police station.
At the counting centre in Sibanor, the presence of supporters of the two candidates was overwhelming. However, the APRC candidate, Ebrima Janko Sanyang, was nowhere to be seen. He voted at Batabut Polling Station C24 and the independent candidate, Ebrima Jammeh, voted at Batending polling station C33. As the results were made known the voices of jubilant supporters could be heard almost everywhere.
In the following ,morning this reporter caught up with victorious Ebrima Jammeh and asked him what his development priorities would be for his constituency. He said he’ll try and establish social and development trust funds and also an education trust fund for needy and deserving students among other things.
FOROYAA: You are aware of the fact that you contested on an independent ticket and not on the ruling party’s ticket, are you sure things are going to be made easy for you and your constituency?
Jammeh: I’ll do everything I could. No stone would be left unturned. I know what has transpired was all meant to discourage me and my supporters but that has come and gone. “Let’s now look to the future,” he concluded. Out of the twelve polling stations Mr. Jammeh won eight with a total of 2080 votes and Mr. Sanyang 1825 votes.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 011/2007, 29-30 January, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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