Ladies and Gentlemen: Below is a letter we received from the IEC.This is in response to our letter of inquiry about the registration process and participation of Gambians abroad in the upcoming General Elections. THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION Fair Play Integrity and Transparency 7 Kairaba Avenue, Latrikunda, Kombo St.Marys division Po Box 793 Banjul, The Gambia, West Africa Tel.: 373804/374311 Fax: 373803 E-mail: [log in to unmask] IEC/23/Vol.23/KAC/SN (141) July 31, 2000 Mr. Momodou K Ceesay Secretary The Democratic Forum 3659 Buford Highway G-10 Atlanta, Georgia 30329 Dear Momodou K Ceesay. Re: Participation of Gambians Living Abroad in National Elections. The 1997 Constitution of the Second Republic of The Gambia provides in section 39, the right to vote and be registered. Subsection (1) of the same section, provides that: Every citizen of the Gambia being eighteen years or older and of sound mind shall have the right to vote for the purpose of elections of a President and National Assembly, and shall be entitled to be registered as a voter in National assembly Constituency for that Purpose. Registration of Gambians Living abroad is therefore, the above provision, a fundamental right although modalities have not been set to guarantee this right to eligible Gambians living abroad. Furthermore, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) under its functions as provided in section 43 (1) (a) Shall be responsible to conduct and supervise the registration of voters for all public elections and the conduct and supervision of all public elections and referenda. In dealing with the registration of voters, the Election Decree of 1996 mandates the Provisional Independent Electoral Commission (acting as though the Independent Electoral Commission was exercising the registration of voters, (see schedule II and schedule III (2) of section 232- Transitional and Consequential Provisions) to prepare, compile and maintain in accordance with this part (Part III- Registration of Voters) a register of voters for each constituency and register of Gambians in foreign countries. In addition section 141 of the Elections Decree, 1996 provides that the Independent Electoral Commission may make rules for Gambians in any foreign country to vote in a Presidential election. The issue of registration of Gambian national resident in foreign countries in view to extending the right to participate in national elections in the Gambia has been taken up in the National Governance Policy Framework, the National Good Governance Program and a subsequent National Roundtable Conference, which aimed at looking for funding to cater for this constitutional requirement. Meanwhile efforts are being geared towards the realization of this exercise and the IEC is happy to announce that a number of international bodies, agencies and governments have made pledges to support the project, Which is yet to be formulated. If the project materializes, IEC shall be sending its officials abroad to some selected countries where the density of Gambian nationals meets the criteria, to study the modalities and conditions of registration of Gambians as voters, which will enable them to express their voice in the choice of the country’s leadership. It is the commission’s hope that during the next Presidential elections scheduled for year 2001, Gambians will be able, for the first time, to take part in this important national exercise. Yours sincerely, K A Ceesay Secretary/Administrator For: Chairman ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------