We need not wait for the rest of the results to discuss the Local election and
its meaning to our Democracy. I am of the opinion that this elections are the
biggest mockery to Democracy, they have since be so and it is time for
something else to put to better use the little resources of our nation.

  These Local Government elections should have been the highest form of
Democracy in our country. Not only that they could have reflected many fine
aspects that are related to our culture of mutual understanding and
responsibility but also a key factor in our dreams and efforts to lift our
country and people from the acute poverty and decadency. Marginalisation of
people is possible partly because the power that governs is far from their
reach. And remembering that it is this power that decides if the little that
is in the coffers of the State should be use to maintain a private plane of
the President or a jet fighter rather than clean water and or the buying of
farmers groundnuts in time and in good faith.
The empowering of Local government would have given many the chance and
inspire many in playing active role in politics and taking responsibility for
the development of their different areas, towns and villages. Our contact with
those who represent us in the Local government will be more frequent and life
and direct, because they are people who are part of our community and one
would not need permission to talk to them. The empowering of Local governments
would mean no right to the president or any body to dissolve them as he/she
wish. Their area of responsibility must be widening, to include having
responsibility in building roads, responsible for education, water supply,
health etc, in other words taking responsibility and marking decisions for
things that are of vital importance to their survival and the development of
their community. This is possible, because it is happening in many parts of
the world and has contributed greatly to the development of these countries.
In some of these countries, the debate to even reduce more of the powers of
the parliament and empowering more the Local governments to ensure the
functioning of democracy is at a higher level. This is way in these countries,
Local government elections are equally important as Parliamentary elections.
Who would not understand the little interest that opposition parties have in
Local government elections when they know the limitation of such an organ. One
could only argue that their participation in these elections could be of
importance in the continuing mobilisation of the people. But the fact that the
little resources that these political parties have, it might not be wise to
use their resources in that manner. There is no doubt that if the Local
governments have had the power of influencing development in their areas the
interest would have been otherwise.
A government that is prepared to take this task of constitutional reform, that
is aim at empowering the Local Government, will be a government that is
sincere to democracy and for decentralisation of decision marking. When will
the APRC government engaged the Gambian people on such a discussion, if not in
the next life then it must be now.


For Freedom
Saiks

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