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Momodou
Denmark
11804 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Feb 2007 : 15:05:07
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HALIFA INTERVIEWED ON THE QUESTION OF THE INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES,THE UNOPPOSED SEATS AND THE RELEVANCE OF NADD
Foroyaa: Can you explain what happened to many of the independent candidates NADD aimed to support and why they did not simply stand as NADD candidates?
Halifa: NADD had the strategic objective of facilitating an elected majority of Non APRC members in the National Assembly. Initially, we had the motive to form a tactical alliance between NADD, the other opposition parties and independent candidates. However when this failed we decided to employ our tactics unilaterally. We therefore put up candidates where NADD committees meet and put up their choice. We gave support to independent candidates where it appeared that they could win. We tried not to put up candidates where they could spoil the chance of other opposition parties.
Foroyaa: Why did you not condition the Independent Candidates to stand under a NADD platform?
Halifa: No person could stand as a NADD candidate without being selected by a NADD constituency committee. Notwithstanding, we recognised that in The Gambia some vote for parties irrespective of candidates or for individuals irrespective of parties. Those individuals who could win without being under the umbrella of a party stood as Independent Candidates.
Foroyaa: You initially mentioned 13 Independent Candidates but many did not complete the race. What happened?
Halifa: Three were late in submitting their nomination papers, one fell short of the standards for qualification. Two were discouraged by the APRC election machine to continue. Two reconsidered their position and decided to support the opposition candidate in their constituencies. One withdrew to increase the chances of another Independent Candidate.
Foroyaa: Which Independent Candidates survived?
Halifa: The Independent Candidates for Jokadu, Niamina East, Serrekunda East, Kiang West. We also called our supporters to give support to the independent candidates for Kombo South and Niani.
Foroyaa: How do you assess the success of your tactics?
Halifa: It worked very well. In Niamina East the candidate lost by 185 votes. If UDP/NRP supported him he would have won. In Jokadu, the 600 votes acquired by the UDP Candidate if added to the votes of the Independent Candidate the later would have won. The same goes for Kombo South. If the votes of the UDP Candidate were added to that of the Independent Candidate he could have won. Hence it was only in two constituencies that the independent candidate did not get their deposits, that are in Serrekunda East and Kiang West.
Foroyaa: How many votes do you need to get your deposit?
Halifa: One has to have 20% of the votes cast for the elected candidate. Hence you can see that the elections were keenly contested
Foroyaa: How did NADD perform?
Halifa: Out of the five seats, we won Wuli West. In Sandu the APRC election machine was so destabilised that the Chief decided to break the windscreen of the vehicle of the NADD candidate. He is currently considering whether to proceed with legal action or result to administrative action to reprimand him. In Wuli East and Serrekunda Central, few people felt that NADD could lose.
In short, in both constituencies people voted with their mouths and euphoria and not with real tokens. It was only in Central Baddibu that the result was not considerable.
Foroyaa: Why did you put up a candidate?
Halifa: The candidate was asked to review the situation. We in the executive felt that NADD did not have a reasonable base in Central Baddibu. We anticipated that at best the candidate will stand as an independent candidate. His committee wrote to suggest that he stand as a NADD candidate. Personally, I was very uncomfortable and had imagined that once the UDP come up with a candidate he would have withdrawn. I understand that what initially motivated the candidate is the information that the APRC had rejected the sitting MP who is from the same village. Anyway, we stuck up with the candidate up to the end. He has also gained new lessons in the politics of voting in The Gambia. Popularity does not easily transform into votes in The Gambia.
Foroyaa: What about Serrekunda East?
Halifa: We received information that in both Serrekunda East and Serrekunda West the sitting MPs were facing massive opposition but that the electorate were also not willing to shift their support to the UDP. Many people gave support by mouth to the independent candidate in Serrekunda East. Here again words did not translate into deeds. There is voter apathy everywhere. Something is needed to wake Gambians from their political slumber.
Foroyaa: What is needed?
Halifa: This is what the NADD Executive will soon take up to discuss. Other parties would have to do the same. This is a period for serious reflection.
Foroyaa: Some people have been asking why the opposition did not put up candidates in Kantora and the other four unopposed constituencies in Foni?
Halifa: NADD put up candidates in Wuli East, Wuli West and Sandu in the URD. We decided to leave Kantora, Tumana, Basse and Jimara to the UDP, NRP or Independent Candidates. We have a very strong activist by the name of Ansu Saho in Kantora. He could have at least stood as an Independent candidate. There was no consultation. We also did not get any application for the constituencies in Foni. Anyway, this is the last time that any constituency will ever go unopposed in the Gambia.
Foroyaa: Is it because the opposition considers Foni to be APRC territory because of tribe?
Halifa: Foni is inhabited by all the tribes you find in the Gambia. The fact that an Independent candidate could win in Foni confirms that no part of the Gambia is immune to change once the right candidates are found.
Foroyaa: How do you see NADD’s performance. Does it have a future in Gambian politics?
Halifa: We should draw lessons from the past. Just compare the results of the NADD candidates during the by elections in 2005 and that of the UDP, NRP and NADD candidates during this National Assembly elections. This confirms that NADD was the alternative.
In short, in Nianija there was a by election in 2005. The same candidate who now stands for the NRP in 2007 stood for NADD in 2005. In the by election, he had 1554 votes but as NRP in 2007 he had 693 votes.
In 2005 Hamat stood as NADD and had 2454 votes. However as an NRP candidate in 2007 he received 3298.
In 2005 Kemeseng stood as NADD candidate and received 3444 votes. He won the seat. In 2007 he stood as UDP candidate and received 2760 votes. He lost the seat.
In 2005, I stood as a NADD candidate and got 5911 votes. In 2007 I stood as NADD candidate and had 4302 votes while UDP had 1548. This confirms that the opposition had more to gain by remaining as NADD than splitting.
Foroyaa: Now can you tell us what you expect of the opposition, in the new National Assembly?
TO BE CONTINUED
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 016/2007, 9-11 February, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2007 : 15:30:01
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quote:
Foroyaa: How do you see NADD’s performance. Does it have a future in Gambian politics?
Halifa: We should draw lessons from the past. Just compare the results of the NADD candidates during the by elections in 2005 and that of the UDP, NRP and NADD candidates during this National Assembly elections. This confirms that NADD was the alternative.
In short, in Nianija there was a by election in 2005. The same candidate who now stands for the NRP in 2007 stood for NADD in 2005. In the by election, he had 1554 votes but as NRP in 2007 he had 693 votes.
In 2005 Hamat stood as NADD and had 2454 votes. However as an NRP candidate in 2007 he received 3298.
In 2005 Kemeseng stood as NADD candidate and received 3444 votes. He won the seat. In 2007 he stood as UDP candidate and received 2760 votes. He lost the seat.
In 2005, I stood as a NADD candidate and got 5911 votes. In 2007 I stood as NADD candidate and had 4302 votes while UDP had 1548. This confirms that the opposition had more to gain by remaining as NADD than splitting.
This analysis is a complete sham as it does not take into account the variance in voter turn-out between the 2005 by-elections and the 2007 Elections. The infamous Ayatollah should have known this better. In fact he does but is only being dishonest and cheeky.
I am glad that the last vestages of previlege bestowed on him previously when he was accidentally elected MP have all now being removed when he surrendered his diplomatic passport,AU Liazesse Passe and Assembly ID to the Clerk.
There is no room for idealism here. It is about time realism is embraced.
Thanks |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 10 Feb 2007 16:55:12 |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2007 : 15:30:01
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quote:
Foroyaa: How do you see NADD’s performance. Does it have a future in Gambian politics?
Halifa: We should draw lessons from the past. Just compare the results of the NADD candidates during the by elections in 2005 and that of the UDP, NRP and NADD candidates during this National Assembly elections. This confirms that NADD was the alternative.
In short, in Nianija there was a by election in 2005. The same candidate who now stands for the NRP in 2007 stood for NADD in 2005. In the by election, he had 1554 votes but as NRP in 2007 he had 693 votes.
In 2005 Hamat stood as NADD and had 2454 votes. However as an NRP candidate in 2007 he received 3298.
In 2005 Kemeseng stood as NADD candidate and received 3444 votes. He won the seat. In 2007 he stood as UDP candidate and received 2760 votes. He lost the seat.
In 2005, I stood as a NADD candidate and got 5911 votes. In 2007 I stood as NADD candidate and had 4302 votes while UDP had 1548. This confirms that the opposition had more to gain by remaining as NADD than splitting.
This analysis is a complete sham as it does not take into account the variance in voter turn-out between the 2005 by-elections and the 2007 Elections. The infamous Ayatollah should have known this better. In fact he does but is only being dishonest and cheeky.
I am glad that the last vestages of previlege bestowed on him previously when he was accidentally elected MP have all now being removed when he surrendered his diplomatic passport,AU Liazesse Passe and Assembly ID to the Clerk.
There is no room for idealism here. It is about time realism is embraced.
Thanks |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 10 Feb 2007 16:55:12 |
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mbay
Germany
1007 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2007 : 21:15:25
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Pinion it up!
Getting out APRC by all means ? What is this parts intention , just Esurient to power ? Some thing is very suspicious in the gear of this political lantern !
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mbay
Germany
1007 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2007 : 21:15:25
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Pinion it up!
Getting out APRC by all means ? What is this parts intention , just Esurient to power ? Some thing is very suspicious in the gear of this political lantern !
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