Culled from The Observer

Thursday, September 27, 2001

  Police set campaign code of conduct

As political parties hit the campaign trail in the run up to the October 18
Presidential election, The Gambia Police Force yesterday invited journalists
at its headquarters for " a consultative meeting with the media," to outline
the police campaign code of conduct

. Speaking at the meeting, the deputy inspector general of the Gambia Police
Force, Jai Sowe said the police wanted to use the media to caution against
misconduct by party militants which may endanger peace. He said these
included the spreading of false information with the intention of instilling
fear and anxiety among the population and the use of abusive and derogatory
remarks at political platforms.

Mr Sowe noted, "we are also saying that aggrieved parties during the
campaign process must seek redress through the legal process rather than
taking the law into their own hands." Mr Sowe used the occasion to allay
fears about the so-called "Camp 100." He said the police did mount an
investigation into the allegation that certain youths were being trained
with the intention of disrupting the October 18 Presidential election but
concluded that the allegations were baseless. He however said the police
would still welcome any information that would help them in further
investigations.

Mr Sowe said the police would solicit co-operation from the media in its
effort to maintain security. "You spread information to the population to
educate and enlighten them but some of these information may impact on the
security of the country. Giving out sensitive and wrong information can
cause fear and anxiety which are not in the interest of anybody." He
promised that the police would expedite the process of relaying information
to the media houses. "Our doors are open to the press," he said.

Questioned why APRC banners and flags were hoisted at some police station
premises, Mr Sowe said instructions had been given for such to be removed.
He however never hesitated to add that "the families of the police officers
residing at the premises of the police have a right to show out their
support for any political party."

Demba Jawo, president Gambia Press Union assured the police of the
co-operation of the media to ensure a smooth election. He urged the police
to always open their doors to the media. The consultative meeting was
attended by the assistant inspector general of police, Muniru Darboe, Abdou
Njie, the crime management co-ordinator, ASP Mbye Jobe, Sarjo Keita, the
police PRO as well as other senior police officers. .






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