This is a case that demonstrates how truly spineless and DEPENDENT the "IEC"
is. From what I gathered, evidence of APRC vote-buying is so abundant and
plain that no real investigation need take place. Yet, the "IEC" remains
completely mute about what took place. This is not a suit that the UDP need
champion. A real IEC would have established the fraud that occurred, take
the case before the courts, -or use its powers to do whatever its required
to do...
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The organising secretary of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Lamin Waa
Juwara has said that the UDP will mount a legal challenge against Mahawa
Cham's election in Kiang East constituency as the APRC violated the election
decree, which forbids politicians from bribing voters. "It will become clear
to all Gambians that a free and fair election means election free from all
corrupt practices as required by the law" Mr. Juwara contended.

He claimed that in contravention of decree 78, the APRC was engaged in
corrupt practices, which invalidated the result of the Kiang East
bye-election. He said offering bicycles and soap to voters and inducing them
to vote for the ruling party candidate are illegal and indefensible in the
courts. According to section 116 of the 1996 election decree 78 the term
"corrupt practice" means bribery, exerting undue influence "as provided in
this part or aiding, abetting, counseling or procuring the commission of
personation".

"A corrupt practice shall be deemed to be committed by a candidate if it is
committed with his knowledge or consent or by a person who is acting under
the general or special authority of such candidate with reference to the
election where a corrupt practice is committed by any candidate elected at
an election held under the provision of this decree, the election of such
candidate shall be invalid" the decree states.

"The APRC money politics will not go unchallenged because bribing a voter is
illegal and if they have nothing else to back them up but only to engage in
corrupt practices as a political organisation, the bye-election are a clear
manifestation that the Gambian people did not buy cheap propaganda. We have
solid evidence of bribery during the bye-election which is contrary to the
electoral laws of The Gambia" Mr. Juwara argued, reiterating his party's
resolve to usher the matter to the courts for action.


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