My Comments on the United Front's first post-election statement

72 hours after official declaration of the Presidential election results, the United Front composed of the NRP, PDOIS, NADD? and the one-man GPDP have issued their first statement. However, In sharp contrast to the UDP-led alliance which immediately donounced the results of the elctions as 'bogus'; the United Front Alliance which backed the Presidential aspirations of Hamat Bah, is yet to take a position on the results. By all indications, the United Front's reaction will be expressed in their "final statement" which will be issued after debriefing their regional coordinators. I suppose but for the state of mass shock in to which most of us, opposition supporters have been transformed by the announced official results, it would have been possible for the United Front alliance to debrief their regional cordinators within 48 hours.
 Nonetheless in keeping with their traditions, the astute political strategists behind the United Font have shared with their readership some fundamental lessons behind the poor showing of the opposition and had gone further to profer some 'recommendations' probably on the ways forward for the opposition to perform better next time in 2016. Lest I forget, let me state that the main constraints which disadvantaged the opposition have also been reported by the United Front in their first statement.

Consequent upon the alleged security threat posed to Mr Henry Gomez, The United Front plans to approach the Inspector General od Police (IGP) to provide security to both Messrs Henry Gomez and Hamat Bah. I wonder why not seek the same for Messrs Halifa Sallah and Seedia Jatta as well? I am convinced that recitation for instance of 3 Ikhlas, Falaqs and Nass every morning by any Gambian Moslem is far more assured security than approaching the IGP. How can someone who cannot even secure himself give security to another person? As for Henry who is a practicing Christian, he is better advised to pray in the Lord's name for security in whatever.manner he deems fit. And he ought not to forget to always watch his front and back devoid of any paranoia and to refuse to jump in the vehicle of complete strangers. Scream for help if need be. The human voice is a great asset and so are the feet when you are out-numbered. Run for it backed by woii! woii yai yoi! woi!. Immediate help will be at hand! Gambians are compassionate people.

Undoubtedly, the most important recommendation which emanated from the United Front is: "The Front therefore strongly recommends for constitutional reform to be instituted to restore the second round of voting in presidential elections." In reaction to which, 4th term-elected President Jammeh is likely to swear by his holy Quran: Billai Wallai Tallai! Over my dead body there will be no second round. I am not mad nor are Gambians!

In conclusion, my own humble recommendation to the the Gambian Patriots behind the United Front towards attaining a democratic regime change in the Gambia remains for them to rally behind the leader of the biggest opposition party for the next Presidential election. No Agenda 2016 please!

Bailo

The following statement is extracted from today's edition of the online Foroyaa newspaper:

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT BY THE INDEPENDENT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND HIS UNITED FRONT BACKERS

By Publisher on 28-11-11

On Friday 25th November 2011, the Independent Electoral Commission declared the final results of the 2011 Presidential Elections. The Independent Candidate has 73.060 votes.

A meeting was scheduled after the declaration of the results to review the figures and issue a statement but the meeting had to be delayed because of the late arrival of Honourable Henry Gomez who later explained that he boarded a taxi to come to the meeting only to have the movement of the vehicle blocked by another transport with Gambia Revenue Authority inscribed on the door. Four persons came to indicate to him that he was under arrest and compelled him to join their vehicle. They refused to reveal their identity but later proposed for him to talk to their boss who also did not reveal his identity. The boss apologised and rationalised that it was a case of mistaken identity.

This incident which took place just before the meeting to determine whether or not to accept the results of 2011 Presidential Elections is rather instructive. The United Front strongly condemns this threat to the security of the leader of a member party and will approach the Inspector General of Police to provide security to both Hon Bah and Hon Gomez.
The United Front has seen the need for lessons to be drawn from the results of the elections.

The existence of the front is a reflection of the absence of the second round of voting which enables all parties to participate in the first round to check their political weight. The Front therefore strongly recommends for constitutional reform to be instituted to restore the second round of voting in presidential elections.

Another fundamental lesson is that the 11 days allocated by the IEC as campaign period has grossly disadvantaged the opposition parties after being deprived of access to the media for a period of four years prior to the
campaign period. The opposition parties do not have access to state resources. We could not thoroughly cover any constituency and could not mobilise sufficient resources within the limited time frame to conduct a proper campaign.

Secondly, the APRC has been given an edge by the support it receives from the business community and public enterprises to ensure the provision of T shirts, bill boards and other accessories that serve as campaign materials. The involvement of APRC mobilisers in community sensitisation meetings conducted by public enterprises helps to sustain the grass-roots organisations of the party. Suffice it to say that the utilization of the material resources of the state, especially vehicles and the involvement of chiefs who are heads of district tribunals, Governors and other public servants or members of the security forces do not provide a level ground for holding free and fair elections.

In this light, it is the candid view of the Independent candidate and members of the United Front that we should propose the holding of a National Conference on the electoral system so that reforms could be initiated to ensure that there is level ground to hold genuine multi party contest and free and fair elections.

A final statement will be issued after debriefing the regional coordinators.