From the Daily Observer

CAN DARBOE RUN FOR PRESIDENT?

by Augustus Mendy Political Desk

As activities for the presidential election reaches its climax, the Attorney
General and Secretary of State for Justice, Joseph Joof, has disclosed that
Ousainou Darboe, coalition presidential candidate has to prove to the
Independent Electoral Commission that he is eligible to contest the
forthcoming elections. Speaking to the Daily Observer yesterday, SoS Joof
disclosed that under section 62(3), Darboe was ordered by a commission of
inquiry into the activities of the Social Security and Housing Finance
Corporation to pay back money to the SSHFCand that he appeared before Hon
Justice Grant to challenge that order. He said the court dismissed that
order on a preliminary objection, "so that order is still valid," he
outlined. SoS Joof challenged Ousainou Darboe to satisfy the IEC
requirements and the public regarding the order made against him by the
commission which is still valid does not result in him being "caught by the
above section of the constitution". "Obviously, if he is disqualified under
section 62, then he is not qualified under section 90 for National
Assembly," SoS Joof reasoned.
The report of the commission indicated that "it was the unanimous view of
the commission that the work could not be seen easy, to have been eagerly
pursued since the source of the D30,969 came from public funds, the
commission would respectfully order Mr Darboe to refund it to the
corporation through the office of the Accountant General within six weeks".
SoS Joof outlined that nomination of candidates requires that every aspiring
presidential candidate satisfies and fills a declaration addressed to the
IEC to show that they have not been liable for misconduct, negligence,
corruption or any improper behaviour by any commission or committee of
inquiry. "So it is for Darboe to prove that the order made against him by
the commission of inquiry into the activities of the SSFHC does not fall
under this section. "He has to satisfy the people and the IEC before he can
be a presidential candidate even though the Brikama rally was talking about
parties choosing him." Commenting on the political parties, SoS Joof
disclosed that they are yet to get the final list from the IEC.
GPP and NCP said they had registered but it has to be confirmed, PDP says
they have no money, but what is more important is for them to register in
accordance with the IEC. "Just saying we are back as political parties is
not enough. You actually have to register," he said. SoS Joof outlined that
only APRC, PDOIS, NRP and UDP are recognised as registered parties "UDP
presidential candidate, Lawyer Darboe is yet to meet some requirements." SoS
Joof also said that birth certificates were very important for anybody whose
age might be called into question if they wanted to contest. "If they have
no birth certificates, then dental test and other means could be used. They
should be mindful of all these things," he concluded.



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