Over two weeks ago, unless Halifa's remarks were overuled by the Central
Committee, he said, PDOIS will not sponsor any candidate for the 2011
election, the Presidential. I wonder what use is the Radio chat with
opposition leaders if statements actually cause confusion? The statement
here is no different to Agenda 2011 only that, it is calling for the
involvement of stakeholders, a massive rally where the numbers will
determine a prescribe outcome, etc..The journey continues.
Suntou

PDOIS ON THE UNITED FRONT Statement from the Central Committee of PDOIS on
the Establishment of a United Front for the Opposition for the 2011
Presidential Elections
 By Publisher <http://www.foroyaa.gm/userinfo.php?uid=31> on 08-08-11 (191
reads) News by the same
author<http://www.foroyaa.gm/modules/news/newsbythisauthor.php?uid=31>

7TH AUGUST 2011
The Central Committee of the People’s Democratic Organisation For
Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), has acknowledged the increase in the
number of people who seek clarification on the way forward for building a
United Front for the 24 November Presidential Polls in the Gambia. The
Central Committee has deliberated on the concerns of the people especially,
the question whether it is not too late in the day to form a United Front
and still build a momentum for success.

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The Central Committee would wish to convey to the Gambian people that it is
still not late in the day for a United Front to be established if it is
indeed the wish of the vast majority of voters in the Gambia.
In its deliberation the Central Committee observed that in 1996 the ban on
political parties was not lifted until 14th August 1996. The parties were
given from 2nd to 30th of August 1996 to Register as Political Parties. This
is when the UDP and the NRP registered for the first time. The Presidential
elections took place on 26 September 1996, weeks after the registration of
political parties, and 18 days after the official campaign period. Despite
this fact the incumbent had 56 percent of the votes. This is less than the
margin of victory in 2006 after Political parties have been in existence for
10 years.
The Central Committee observed that Political Parties have been in existence
for 15 years and their activities or otherwise are fully acknowledged by the
people. It is evident that they have more than two solid months including
August to arrive at a consensus and more than a whole month to Campaign for
the Candidate of a United Front.
We should therefore focus on the task of building a United Front rather than
pontificate on the effects of a failure. This is the first point.
In this regard, the Central Committee conceives the delay in initiating
talks to establish a United Front to the failure by some political parties
to formulate and publish their negotiating position for the establishment of
a United Front for general information for other stakeholders in particular
and the public at large.
PDOIS therefore considers it urgent and does ardently propose that each
party issues a written declaration on the type of United Front it subscribes
to for the consideration of all other parties in particular and the public
at large. This would create the basis for the public to compare the various
suggestions and express their opinions on the type of United Front that is
most appealing and is most likely to succeed or support the holding of
inter-party dialogue to iron out divergences and come up with a consensual
formula.
PDOIS has resolved to conduct a Nationwide tour to remind the people that it
has been transparent and concrete about its proposal for a United Front
which involves the selection of one candidate by the people to administer a
transitional administration for a period of no more than one term that would
not be characterized by any misconduct in governance and that would hand
over to a democratically elected government after opening both the public
and private media to divergent views.
Since the Radio and TV continue to broadcast the meetings of the President,
PDOIS will continue its sensitisation tours during August to keep our
messages alive.
Furthermore as of 3rd September 2011, PDOIS will hold major rallies for a
period of two weeks to determine the level of public support for a United
Front. These meetings must be supported massively by those who support the
establishment of a United Front to be deemed successful and convincing. They
must be bigger than the artificial crowd the APRC is drawing during the
official tour of the President to prove that the opposition should be taken
seriously and that we are serious about establishing a United Front. This is
the challenge PDOIS is putting out to the voters. People should put their
efforts where their hearts are if we are to convince each other that we
could move together to be the architects of a new Gambia. We have only
ourselves to blame if we fail to join others and build a respectable crowd
that could show that we are serious about building a United Front for the
elections.
These rallies would be followed by a proposal for the convening of a
National Conference at a Hall or field that could accommodate more than a
thousand people from all over the country to promote dialogue by all
stakeholders such as political parties, youth organisations, women
organisations, Committee of elders in the opposition, other civil societies
and individuals to determine the way forward for the establishment of a
United Front and the selection of a single Candidate for the opposition for
the Presidency. Such a National Conference would strive to attract concerned
persons who consider it their National birth right to determine the destiny
of the Country.


-- 
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com


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