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Momodou
Denmark
11852 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Mar 2008 : 17:31:04
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IEC Seeks Power To Deregister Parties
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has recommended that it be given power to deregister political parties that are not functional for at least five years. The recommendation is included in the Commission’s Annual Report Feb 2007 to Jan 2008. The IEC also recommended that the Attorney General’s Chambers complete the drafting of the bill to transform the Elections Decree into an Elections Act, and further urged the National Assembly to take the necessary steps to process this into an Act. The report will be laid before the National Assembly for scrutiny in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution of The Gambia. Foroyaa will publish highlights of the debate on the report.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 33/2008, 19 – 20 March 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2008 : 12:04:07
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| any party not function for five years should definately go |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2008 : 12:24:37
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| What does the IEC intends to achieve by acquiring that power? What determines whether a party is "functional" or not? Under the current political atmosphere in the Gambia and considering the lack of independence of the IEC itself, I suspect such power in the hands of the government-controlled IEC will not lead to the growth of democracy and liberty in the Gambia; instead it will be used to further stifle political pluralism in the Gambia... |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2008 : 19:31:27
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Kay
You are right. The word "functional" needs to be clearly defined and not shoured in ambigous legal language.
Who cares if a party is not running for office for 100 years for as long as it keeps its registration fees paid if any. The right to not associate is also guaranteed in the constitution. So a party staying away for five years is legal because they can choose to not associate, or lecet, or be elected into office.
These are fundamental democratic principles that if stiffled will underminde our right to choose or not to choose or our right to associate or not associate. Its a right deeply rooted in a Republican systmen of gorvernance.
What about if a party cannot afford the cost of registration fees. If out of the blue there is meteoric increase in registration fees beyond the means of some parties, then they would not be able to register and after five years, they are deregistered. You never know. This could just be a front.
Besides, if the IEC cannot deny anyone from voting, whose name is not on the electoral register, why would they need a power to deregister a party. One must learn to walk before one can run. You dont have to bite more than you can chew. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2008 : 20:06:01
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Kay and Kondorong
Both of you are positioned far too sophisticated for the type of system prevailing in Gambia. Remember all the institutions are simply an extension of July 22 Movement, AFPRC, APRC, Jammeh. Don't miss that out. You seem to be assessing the situation as competent technicians do. Not to blame you at all, but that is not the Gambia we are in at this moment. Take a clearer reading of our current possition geographically and geo-politically. There is a significant twist and any accurate assessment must take account of that. You are going far too far. The monster is crawling too slow to reach the good land you take Gambia to be. We may get there some day, but not with Jammeh and not also with the current dispensation. |
Karamba |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 21 Mar 2008 : 05:55:37
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| Thanks Kondorong and Karamba. I think we must always be relunctant to put more power into the hands of those who seek it. That power may be all that they need to oppress us further. It is obvious that the IEC is not going to "de-register" the APRC, the only parties IEC can and will "de-register" is the opposition parties; and with an ambiguous "functional" criterion we could be heading for a one-party state or worse... |
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