PDOIS SUPPORTERS PROTEST ON MEETING FIGURES AND FOROYAA RESPONDS Some PDOIS supporters disputed Foroyaa figures regarding the number of people who were present during the launching of Agenda 2011 by PDOIS. Foroyaa stated that the number of people was above six hundred. They said that they concurred with the figure given by the Daily News, which gave an estimate of over a thousand spectators. First and foremost, Foroyaa did mention that aside from the seats and the immediate surrounding of the venue there were other spectators who the Daily News may have included in their count. As far as Foroyaa is concerned the figures alone are not significant. It is the interpretation that is given to the figures that is important as well as the lessons learnt. When Foroyaa gave an estimate of the number of people who attended the first UDP rally in Serrekunda some UDP supporters also protested. Foroyaa would like the members of the opposition to take note of the fact that the paper is an objective source of information. Even though the editorial is the opinion of the paper it has to rely on some facts on which the opinion expressed is based. Figures on crowds are given by relying on the random questioning of some of those who witnessed an occasion from the beginning to the end. In Foroyaa’s view rallies are not necessarily indications of the degree of support of a political party but they do indicate the level of political participation or apathy of a citizenry. If people could be moved to attend political rallies in large numbers they would also be motivated to go and cast their votes for the party of their choice. Not every body who attends a political rally is a supporter of the political party which organises the meeting. However, each political party should be able to attract the interest of diverse constituencies in order to have the potential for growth. Hence the recording of the number of people who attend rallies help political parties to be able to know whether voter apathy is increasing or reducing. It is very clear to Foroyaa that political apathy is the major enemy of the electoral process in the Gambia . It is not uncommon for the President to complain of poor turn out of certain groups during his tour. Hence instead of complaining about the reports political parties should go back to the drawing board and come up with realistic options on how to enlist greater participation in their activities. The incumbent does not hesitate to engage the participation of school children, wives of soldiers and other service men, Chiefs, members of the Islamic Council and Green youths or party activists to travel the length and breath of the country so that large crowds would always appear on TV. Vulgar and raw Politics is about impressions and numbers. We gathered that many people wanted to go to the PDOIS rally if they had transport. What is wrong with providing means of transport to enable poor people who want to attend a meeting to do so if this enhances popular participation? PDOIS should rethink its stance on this. The fact that young people could not attend the Jamil Jackson show because of poverty confirms the need to use new initiatives for mass mobilization. Now opposition parties should do whatever it takes to succeed in elections. It is true that opposition parties do not have the resources of the incumbent. The Municipal and Area councils are there to patronise anniversaries and festivals organised by the incumbent. Opposition parties must become more creative and go to the grass roots to campaign and not depend on expensive rallies just to draw crowds of people who may already be in support of their cause. When PDOIS holds its next rally Foroyaa should be able to gauge whether its lessons have been learnt or not. Finally, Foroyaa wishes its readers to understand that the paper has a mind of its own and its staff are not necessarily political activists of a given political party. The paper attracts all those with social conscience who would want to give expression to alternative voices that do not find expression in the Government media.

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