Culled from the Point

Monday, April 29, 2002

What’s In It For The UDP?

Today, the UDP has practically no mandate whatsoever from Gambians to represent them in any of the elected bodies in the country. Truly speaking, this is leading the party to loose its claim as the leading opposition party as it does not represent any voter in the country. Senegal’s Abdoulaye Wade and other African leaders were in the wilderness for years putting up with electoral laws devised by their ruling parties.

That did not stop them from contesting in all elections and making their voices heard in parliament and other local authorities until, they grabbed the presidency. To date, Senegal had no independent electoral commission and politicians are forging ahead with existing electoral laws. As can be seen even Wade who used to clamor for an electoral commission is not in a haste to set up one. Of course to have a level playing field is what is ideal, but equally unverified inconsistencies must not prevent any politician from seeking the Peoples’ Commission.

In democratic circles around the world and more so in the developed world, boycotting election cannot be well rated as the canvassing, organising and influencing peoples votes can be a deterrent to a non levelled playing field. It has happened in Cap Verde, Senegal and it can happen in The Gambia


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GROWING OLD IS MANDATORY; BECOMING WISE IS OPTIONAL.

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