To Boycott or not to Boycott...

First, I wish to thank brother Saul for taking all the comments that were
made on the issue of commending the aprc government, such grace and
understanding. This is make makes him a stalwart.

The debate about boycotting the election that mr. Conteh and others have
started is important. In 1996 some people called for a boycott which never
took place. What would have happened if the elections were boycotted by the
opposition in that year. Difficult to say, but it might not  have made a
difference. Any boycott should be understood in the context in which it
takes place. A colleague reminded us of the examples in ghana and soglo in
benin. Each of these is unique and there advantages and disadvantages of any
boycott. (By the way I understand (not confirmed) that soglo withdrew from
the second round of the presidential election because he was caught trying
to influence the election authorities). Anyway, for gambia what are the
benefits and costs of a boycott?

Benefits
1. Demonstrate that we do not have confidence in the system
2. By extension, deny the aprc any legitimacy it may claim
3. Avoid being engaged in a futile effort, when the aprc would most likely
win anyway

Costs
1. Deny a large proportion of the population from exercising the right to
vote
2. Give the aprc an easy ride
3. Consign the gambia to another term of misery under aprc rule

So, choosing any of one of these calls for critical actions:
1. If the opposition decide to boycott the election, it must do so in a
united way otherwise it would not be effective. This is difficult under
current circumstances.
2. a boycott would be useful only if the opposition can marshal the support
of the international community to support any calls for isolating the regime
after the boycotted election... From the recent experience with the London
Briefing, the opposition is not capable of doing that. Therefore a boycott
would be costly, and may not lead to what is desired.

On the other hand, if they participate in the election, they must make sure
that all forms of malpractice are eliminated. Is the opposition in a
position to do that? There is no other chose, but to fight for a totally
free and fair election if boycott is not the option.

A final point: the aprc is not interested in legitimacy that properly run
elections aim to establish. It believes in power, no matter how it gets it.
It is very possible that  they have already started buying votes- and
voters, as they did in the byelections!

AT
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