In my plea to PDOIS to boycot the upcoming NA elections, I considered the following.

 

1. Was the presidential election free, fair, and without intimidation and was it perceived thus by PDOIS?

 

2. Did the result of the election produce a representative body of governors that will ensure ernest checks and balances in that body's deliberations?

 

I have not received comment yet on the first question. The second is more applicable to the upcoming NA election than the just-held presidential election. However, the firings of civil servants after Jammeh's "victory" at the polls would preclude the emergence of such a representative body were it mandated by fair suffrage.

 

These two questions are the barometers used by international agencies and donor countries to evaluate the extent of Democracy in a country and the level of risk or liability to be calculated in their engagement in such a country. I contend that if the answer to both these questions were in the negative, the mere exercise of an election is foolhardy and therefore must be boycotted and resources set aside for the hubbub be directed in more worthwhile causes.

 

I did receive from PDOIS a reason for participating in the election even if common perception is one of an exercise in futility. I understand PDOIS' reasoning but I still maintain that the merits of boycotting the election far outweigh the merits of participation in it. However, I will support PDOIS even if it seems PDOIS will participate in the election. We will redouble our efforts after the elections to infuse the requisite integrity in the process. PDOIS' reasoning is along the lines of "You will not win or lose a battle to represent the people if you throw in the towel before the battle is enjoined". This phrase has a ring of truth to it and I considered the fact that boycots and hunger strikes are options in a society that is decent enough to review and correct the conditions of strife and malaise that necessitated the sacrifice.

 

I still think a boycot of a non-starter of an election is more honourable and if PDOIS should choose to Boycot the election, I would have been more excited and appreciative. The plea therefore still stands for the NRP. I am not holding my breath though. I may be surprised though. I admire Hon Bah for his pleasant surprises.

 

Haruna. FOREVER PDOIS.