Comrades/Foroyaa: I have read with amusement precise analytical review of PDOIS's stand on the presidential and parliamentary elections in The Gambia. This again shows simple description of facts for voters that PDOIS is trying to educate is buried in sentence structure and as such becomes difficult for the intended voter to actually understand what the heck thEsE intellectuals are talking about. Please simply give us directions from Banjul to Sera Kunda. Don't tell us machinery or elements that we have to get before taking off. Mr. Sallah intimated at a meeting in Tobokoto that PDOIS will not participate in future elections if Rev. Johnson and Mr. Fatty are not reinstated. The gentleman's message to The Gambian people was precise to the point. I am asking, why then do you have to go that far in explaining a simple logic? Having said that, I quote the following from Foroyaa: "... Commission created a state of total paralysis, how can its independence be safeguarded? This is clear that if the executive can actually remove members of the cohy PDOIS considers it a matter of principle to wait for the Supreme Court decision on the removal of the two members of the IEC one of whom is the chairman before working with the IEC. The issue therefore is not whether PDOIS intends to participate in elections or not. That is a foregone conclusion. As long as we are convinced that the Gambian People can go in a voting booth and vote in secret; as long as our polling agents can be present in every polling station to monitor the exercise; as long as all the ballot boxes are opened at the beginning to be checked and closed in front of our polling agent; as long as those ballot boxes are at all times within the sight of our polling and counting agent; as long as counting takes place in front of our counting agent, PDOIS will participate in elections. Inducement and intimidation can only work if the people are not properly sensitised and emboldened. As long as there are rulers who see themselves as monarchs instead of leaders who are mere public trustees and who should perform their duties according prescribed laws, constitutional provisions, which are designed to safeguard standards of governance and the integrity of the sovereign people will always be encroached on. The obstacle therefore at the moment is our commitment not to compromise with the culture of impunity and the failure of the Supreme Court to act with immediacy to redress such impunity. If the Supreme Court acts with speed to resolve the constitutional dilemma, there will no obstacles to PDOIS's participation." I am then of the opinion that PDOIS will not participate in future elections if the Supreme Court of The Gambia does not reinstate Rev. Johnson and Mr. Fatty. If this seems to be the case, then our call for boycotting the presidential election, in its infancy will pick momentum. We are convinced that the Supreme Court of The Gambia will not reinstate Rev. Johnson and Mr. Fatty. The sad fact of the matter is that dictator jemus interpretes constitutional law in The Gambia. Naphiyo, Comrae ML Jassey-Conteh ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------