The Gambian electorate turned up in unprecedented numbers (83 percent) and overwhelming rejected the political opposition by handing a landslide victory (72 percent) to the incumbent, President Yahya Jammeh. This is undoubtedly the most free and fairest presidential election held during the 2nd Republic. There was no apparent voter intimidation or coercion and all the political parties were allowed access to the State television during the official campaign period. The Gambian electorate were simply convinced that Yahya Jammeh is a better choice than Ousainou Darboe, leeader of the UDP and the opportunistic chameleon, Hamat Bah candidate of the so-called United Front. Moreover, the political experiments and strategies spearheaded by the PDOIS leadership have ended in total failure. In conclusion, I unreservedly congragulate President Yahya Jammeh on his victory and further urged him to continue embracing and promoting a more democratic and good governance culture in our homeland. BailoThe following report is extracted from the BBC News Website:I Gambia's Yahya Jammeh wins fourth presidential term The Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh has won a fourth term in office in Thursday's election, taking 72% of the vote, the election commission has said. Electoral chairman Mustapha Carayol said voter turnout had been 83%.Opposition candidates Ousainou Darboe and Hamat Bah took 17% and 11% respectively, he said. Ahead of the poll, the West African regional body Ecowas said the vote would not be free or fair because of intimidation by the governing party. The 15-nation bloc said its investigations found "an opposition and electorate cowed by repression and intimidation" and it refused to send election observers to the tiny West African country. But observers from the African Union (AU), Commonwealth and the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) did monitor the poll. Civil liberties Mr Jammeh came to power in a bloodless coup 17 years ago. After he cast his vote on Thursday he said he was in no doubt that he would win."In 17 years, I have delivered more development than the British were able to deliver in 400 years," he told the BBC. "Do I look like a loser? There is no way I can lose unless you tell me that all Gambian people are mad," he said. Mr Jammeh's government has been criticised by international rights groups for its attitude to civil liberties, especially freedom of the press and the detention and disappearance of journalists. In response to such criticism, he said on Thursday: "The journalists are less than 1% of the population and if anybody expects me to allow less than 1% of the population to destroy 99% of the population, you are in the wrong place." |
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