Suntou, I agree with you - unity of purpose.
Joe

> Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2012 10:22:10 +0000
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [G_L] Fwd: GAMBIA: OPPOSITION PARTIES CALL FOR POSTPONEMENT IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN GENUINE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
> To: [log in to unmask]
> 
> I agree, the opposition has the capacity to incite the people. The
> initial stage will be the only obstacle. However, speaking with one
> voice is the first huddle, if they can get that part right, the rest
> will be in their favour. I hope there will be no underhand trickery
> though within the opposition ranks, because that is what will make or
> break the relationships.
> Suntou
> 
> On 3/8/12, Joe Joe <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > Baba, Maag lumnangore Yennu, Nyu Yenn Kokor Bame Matt. This is all the
> > citizens has been and continue to ask of the opposition politicians - be
> > seen to be standing firm for the people. As you indicated, let's see what
> > will happen next.
> > Joe
> >
> > Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2012 14:25:06 -0800
> > From: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: [G_L] Fwd: GAMBIA: OPPOSITION PARTIES CALL FOR POSTPONEMENT IN
> > ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN GENUINE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Bamba Laye, let's hope the Senegal fever catches Gambia too. His Poxillency
> > the Fropessor will certainly try to say no to any postponement. Will Mr.
> > Carayol and his team deliver? Or will they allow the Sheeek to have his
> > angry way? And if the latter, will the opposition put its foot down? Or will
> > it file a suit in the Jumus courts? It would be interesting to see how this
> > plays out. Thanks for sharing.
> >
> >
> >
> > Baba
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2012 09:05:44 -0600
> > From: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: [G_L] Fwd: GAMBIA: OPPOSITION PARTIES CALL FOR POSTPONEMENT IN
> > ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN GENUINE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> >
> > http://www.foroyaa.gm/modules/news/print.php?storyid=9123
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > OPPOSITION PARTIES CALL FOR POSTPONEMENT IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN GENUINE
> > NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONSAuthor: Publisher | Date: 07-03-12 | Topic:
> > Burning Issues
> >
> >
> >
> > By Abdoulie Dibba/Ousman Sillah
> > The seven Opposition Parties namely the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), the
> > Gambia Party for Development and Progress (GPDP), the National Alliance for
> > Democracy and Development (NADD), the National Reconciliation Party (NRP),
> > the People Progressive Party (PPP), the People’s Democratic Organisation for
> > Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) and the United Democratic Party (UDP)
> > held a Press Conference on Tuesday 6th March 2012 at the People’s Centre at
> > Churchill Town to state their position regarding the forth coming National
> > Assembly Elections. They made it clear that the IEC has responded positively
> > to many of their demands but argued that time is needed to back the promises
> > with concrete action. They pointed out that since the IEC has scheduled the
> > elections beyond the constitutionally established period and is also under
> > the Chairmanship of a person whose tenure of office has been exceeded it
> > would augur well for the Commission to postpone the elections and hold it at
> > a date that is mutually agreed. They claimed that they wanted the discussion
> > with the Commission to start since January but that the Chairman of the
> > Commission was not responsive to dialogue until 28 February 2012. They
> > argued that their declaration had not been responded to until 6 March, two
> > days before Nomination. The parties underscored their desire to participate
> > in a genuinely free and fair National Elections in which they will put up
> > credible candidates to contest and demand for the Independent Electoral
> > Commission to postpone the elections in order to give time to all the
> > stakeholders to put in place the necessary guarantees that would ensure free
> > and fair elections. They promised to engage the IEC today before issuing a
> > final statement on their position vis a vis the National Assembly elections.
> >
> > Reading out the joint statement on behalf of the combined opposition
> > parties, Halifa Sallah disclosed that they have received on the very day of
> > the press conference (yesterday) a letter dated 5th March 2012 from the IEC
> > responding to their 14 point demand contained in an earlier Declaration
> > dated 28 February 2012. He said the opposition acknowledged this response
> > from the IEC as the commencement of a process of engagement to address
> > genuine and legitimate demands for participation in free and fair elections.
> > He said as responsible political leaders they are trying to express the
> > demands of the Gambian people who desire genuine elections that reflect
> > their true choice for political representation. He said in the declaration
> > they forwarded to the IEC they underscored the fact that elections are and
> > should only be contested by political parties and individuals on a level
> > ground and not by other political parties against a party represented by the
> > State machinery. He said their demands are basically for the electoral body
> > to curb the abuse of incumbency as provided for by the law so that all the
> > contending parties can contest on a free and equal landscape.
> > In response to questions from journalists as to whether the opposition
> > intends to boycott the elections, Mr. Sallah stressed that the opposition is
> > more prepared for genuine elections than the IEC and the ruling patty. He
> > disclosed that request was made to engage the IEC since January without any
> > positive response. He recalled the recent meeting the IEC held with the
> > parties including the APRC which they utilised to put their demands. He said
> > that if they did not want to participate in genuine elections they would not
> > have taken all these initiatives. He said the delay is caused by the IEC and
> > they should compensate the opposition for the delay by postponing the
> > elections. In the wake of this development, he said, the parties will be
> > meeting the IEC to acknowledge its response and its commitment to accede to
> > some of their (opposition) demands and also highlight the sticking points
> > which require time for their resolution; hence the demand for the
> > postponement of the National Assembly elections to a mutually agreed time to
> > allow the institution to put the necessary safeguards in place to ensure the
> > holding of free and fair polls.
> > Hon. Hamat Bah of NRP reiterated the desire of the opposition parties to
> > participate in the elections, adding that the IEC should postpone the
> > elections for their mutual benefit as it would allow sufficient time for
> > both the electoral body and the parties to implement the necessary processes
> > and the commitments they made. He however noted that the IEC has responded
> > very lately to their demands which they made earlier and as such should
> > therefore be considerate to push the elections. He highlighted the
> > initiatives they took to engage the IEC to reflect on the shortcomings of
> > the electoral system without response. He said the date set for the
> > elections is beyond the limit set by the Constitution. Hence there is the
> > legal basis to postpone the elections.
> >
> > Mr. Ebou Manneh of UDP said the opposition has taken a common position in
> > their demand to participate in genuinely free and fair elections. He
> > described the common approach being undertaken by the opposition parties as
> > ‘détente cordiale’ in which they are working together to address the common
> > desires and demands of their respective party memberships which is the
> > holding of genuinely free and fair National Assembly elections. He reechoed
> > the common demand for the postponement of the legislative polls and for the
> > IEC to be proactive.
> > Dr. Borro Susso of UDP buttressed the point that the guarantees have to be
> > put in place to allow for genuine political contest. “This requires adequate
> > preparation and time,” he contended
> > Mr. Omar Jallow of PPP stressed that it is the duty of the IEC to organize
> > and ensure free and fair elections. He reiterated that it is the duty of the
> > IEC as a state body to serve all parties and candidates who want to
> > participate in genuine elections. He also calls for a postponement to
> > prepare for a genuine contest.
> > Mr. Henry Gomez said the opposition is resolved to ensure that things cannot
> > continue with “business as usual” and that they are ready to engage the
> > electoral body to conduct free and fair elections.
> > Below are the Declaration issued by the combined opposition and the response
> > of the Independent Electoral Commission:
> > THE DEMAND FOR A LEVEL GROUND FOR MULTI PARTY CONTEST IN THE GAMBIA TO
> > PREVENT POLITICAL EXCLUSION OF THE OPPOSITION
> >
> > We the member parties that are signatories to this Declaration,
> > Being cognisant of our role as the custodians of the political parties that
> > are established under Section 103 of the Elections Act “to participate in
> > the shaping of the political will of the people and further sponsor
> > candidates for public elections; of the Gambia that it guarantees
> > participatory Democracy that reflects the undiluted choice of the people;
> > Fully acknowledging the rights enshrined in Section 26 of the Constitution
> > “to take part in the conduct of public affairs , directly or through freely
> > chosen representatives” and “to vote and stand for elections at genuine
> > public elections for public office which elections shall be by universal and
> > equal suffrage and be held by secret ballot;
> > Fully conscious of the rights we have as stipulated in section 25 of the
> > Constitution “to freedom of speech and expression, freedom of thought and
> > conscience, freedom of association which shall include freedom to form and
> > join associations including political parties and freedom to assemble and
> > demonstrate peaceably;
> > Alerting our minds to the importance given to political parties and a multi
> > party system by Section 100 of the Constitution which states that “the
> > National Assembly shall not pass a bill to establish a one party state”
> > which is further buttressed by Section 104 of the Elections Act that,
> > informs us that the number of political parties shall not be limited by law
> > and every citizen of the Gambia shall have the right freely to choose
> > whether or not he will be become a member of a political party and which
> > party he or she will support;”
> > Informing ourselves of the content of Section 39 of the Constitution which
> > amplifies the supreme authority given by the first Chapter of the
> > Constitution that “the sovereignty of the Gambia resides in the people of
> > the Gambia from whom all organs of Government derive their authority,” by
> > making it categorically clear that “every citizen of the Gambia being of the
> > age of 18 years or older and of sound mind shall have the right to vote for
> > the purpose of elections of a President and members of National Assembly;”
> > Acknowledging it to be categorically clear that the Independent Electoral
> > Commission is supposed to ensure that a level ground is established for
> > multi party contest in accordance with the dictates of Section 41 of the
> > Constitution that makes it mandatory for an electoral law to be enacted to
> > guarantee “equal access to public facilities and the media by candidates at
> > public elections;”
> > Recalling that a memorandum of understanding is signed, on our own volition,
> > to usher in an Inter party committee to enhance our genuine political
> > participation to build democratic political Institutions and culture that
> > would engender and safeguard genuine multi party contest on a level
> > political ground for all candidates;
> > Realising that for almost two decades genuine efforts have been made by
> > forces in the opposition to make the Government realise that a functioning
> > multi party system is characterised by building a genuine electoral system
> > that guarantees participation of all candidates on an equal footing and
> > guaranteeing them equal protection from all unfair electoral practices and
> > to note further that it is only such a system that could give rise to the
> > undiluted choice of the people, consolidate the building of democratic
> > institutions, nurture a democratic culture and foster national unity and an
> > open society that sustains respect for fundamental rights and freedoms,
> > political legitimacy, national stability, sustainable economic growth and
> > general welfare;
> > Have come to the following Conclusion:
> > That the greatest threat to the building of a genuine electoral system is
> > the abuse of incumbency and the complete merger between party and state that
> > enabled the ruling APRC party to exercise complete monopoly over state
> > resources and the media and their utilisation to its political advantage.
> > That even though it is incontrovertible that public elections are designed
> > to enable the enfranchised citizenry to listen to the candidates and elect
> > the person of one’s choice elections in the Gambia is transformed into a
> > battle between opposition candidates and the state. APRC candidates are
> > accompanied by Ministers, Governors, Chiefs, Council of elders, Village
> > Heads , Paramilitary and military personnel, ambulance drivers, green boys
> > and girls and local government authorities boarding Government and Local
> > Government vehicles, ambulances, military trucks to form a convoys that are
> > given the clout of state authority when they ply in and out of villages. In
> > many cases village heads would struggle to ensure that their villages are
> > not branded as opposition strongholds because of threat of deprivation of
> > development and would therefore counselor urge opposition supporters to hide
> > their party emblems, flags and pictures of candidates and lectured that one
> > cannot fight a state. This is what has given rise to the slogan that “if you
> > cannot beat them join them.”
> > We want an end to such a slogan. We want elections to be between equals
> > where the state is neutral and provide resources and personnel to secure the
> > vote and ensure a free atmosphere for the conduct of fair and genuine
> > elections.
> > That despite the expression of our wish for genuine elections , over the
> > years the utilisation of state resources and the media to expand and
> > consolidate the supremacy of ruling party has even been extended to promote
> > a monarchical political culture in gross subversion of the Republican
> > Constitution thus pushing the country steadily towards a de facto one party
> > state and the painting of the opposition as an obstacle to National
> > Development while cajoling it whenever it is deemed advantageous to go to
> > elections with its hands and feet tied \by refusing to undertake the
> > paltriest of reforms.
> > This has placed the opposition in a vicious corner to either boycott
> > elections and be damned or participate in elections and be damned. Caught in
> > this loss -loss situation it would be disingenuous to continue to contest
> > every election with our hands and feet tied and then come out complaining of
> > electoral misconduct.
> > Are now resolved
> > to take a stand to demand for the IEC and the ruling party to put an end to
> > the conditions which prevent us from being a viable opposition and exclude
> > us from participating in genuine elections and express the factors which
> > ought to be put in place by the ruling party and the IEC to ensure the
> > genuine elections, that are fit to ensure our inclusion.
> > To utilise every legal means at our disposal to ensure that from henceforth
> > genuine elections are held in the Gambia should the dictates of the
> > Constitution and the election laws be ignored with impunity.
> > Therefore, seek the following assurance, commitment and Declaration from the
> > IEC and the ruling party.
> >
> > 1 that there is complete separation between the campaign of APRC candidates
> > and the state; that there is equal access to public facilities be it those
> > of the central government or local government by all candidates at all
> > public elections, that there is no improper use or abuse of properties of
> > central government or local government, by Ministers, Governors, Chiefs,
> > council of elders, the paramilitary, the army, other security forces or
> > leave councils to be utilised as elections headquarters of the ruling party;
> > that public corporations desist from allowing their resources to be utilised
> > for propaganda purposes by the ruling party
> > 2 that the candidates from all sides of the political spectrum will enjoy
> > the same treatment from government officials, the security forces and the
> > law enforcement agents.
> > 3 that military personnel in particular shall be confined to barracks during
> > the election period and only unarmed police officers should be on security
> > duties
> > 4 that Governors, Chiefs, Members of District Tribunals ,Security Personnel
> > should not participate in election campaign
> > 5 that during the cooling period up to the day of the elections there will
> > be no encampment of voters in any place or any issuing of statement on
> > electoral matters by any other authority other than the IEC.
> > 6 hat the state media operate in accordance with the principle of complete
> > impartiality and neutrality and would provide balance news coverage
> > regarding parties and candidates, grant the right to reply by all candidates
> > and l give outlet to divergent views form different parties and candidates,
> > on matters concerning them or their campaign. The employees shall not
> > express political loyalties or make derogatory remarks against other parties
> > while on duty
> > 7 The IEC should take full responsibility for providing facilities, food,
> > refreshments and allowance to all polling and counting agents since they are
> > appointed to guard and secure the ballots from any tampering and ensure the
> > fairness of the elections. that the IEC gives us clear information on how
> > polling stations would be secured and provided with lighting facilities, now
> > that it has accepted to do counting on the spot. Forms should be issued to
> > each polling/counting agents to record the results of the polling station
> > which shall be signed by all the polling/counting agents and the presiding
> > officer of the station and a signed copy shall also be posted at the
> > entrance of the polling station. This should be replicated at all levels of
> > the computation process of the votes.
> > 8 the IEC should name and shame all those who were accused of double
> > registration but did not turn their cards in and all those who attested to
> > voters’ cards that are revoked by the revising court sitting at Kanifing
> > magistrate Court in 2011.
> > 9 that transports would be allowed to move without any obstruction to carry
> > voters to their regions and transports carrying voters would not be delayed
> > at police stop or security checkpoints without consultation with the
> > Independent Electoral Commission
> > 10 that Gambians, particularly financiers of political parties, be assured
> > that they could support the party of their choice morally, materially and
> > finically without fear of any reprisal.
> > 11 That all calls for the Presidency to be regarded a s a monarchy to be
> > declared as seditious and treasonable propaganda aimed at overthrowing the
> > Constitution and the Republic and should not be tolerated by the state
> > media.
> > 12 Since the APRC has received funds in contravention to the Constitutional
> > requirement that funds to be sought from any source which aim to promote
> > good governance in the Gambia to finance the budget of the opposition for
> > this national Assembly elections to assist it to make a good start towards
> > the leveling of the grossly uneven electoral landscape.
> > 13 That the elections be postponed because of the delay in meeting the
> > opposition to discuss how to put the right conditions in place for genuine
> > election
> > 14 assurances to come in the form of a memorandum of understanding and be
> > discussed over the radio and TV by representatives of all political parties
> > from now up to nomination day.
> >
> > Finally we would want to pledge our honour with an indelible ink that that
> > if the IEC and the ruling APRC join the opposition to ensure genuine
> > electoral reform the opposition will conduct itself in an admirable fashion
> > and accept results of public elections honourably no matter who it favours.
> > However if there is no breakthrough we will not hesitate to proceed to put
> > our case before the judgment seat of the ECOWAS Court and the tribunal of
> > Continental and World public opinion to test the veracity of our common
> > position so that posterity would properly make its judgment. We hope
> > together all stake holders would do what our times and circumstances
> > dictate. To be true to the Gambia ever more and pledge our firm allegiance
> > to the principle of holding genuine public elections that would give rise to
> > the undiluted choice of the people.
> >
> > IEC RESPONSE
> >
> > The Independent Electoral Commission having reviewed the letter of Demand
> > from members of the Opposition Parties in the signatories of GMC, GPDP,
> > NADD, NRP, PDOIS, PPP and UDP and having diagnosed and discussed the above
> > mentioned at an emergency meeting convened by the Commission whose sole
> > purpose was to discuss expeditiously and judiciously the concerns raised by
> > the Opposition Parties and resolved as follows to implement the following,
> > cognisant of the fact that democracy is a process and the Commission should
> > always, as is expected of it by constitutional dictates, promote a free,
> > fair and transparent electoral process and in so doing persevere to
> > facilitate a leveling of the playing field for all stakeholders in the
> > process.
> > 1. On the issue of the use of state Resources, The Commission has been quite
> > pro-active in this regard. The Chairman has just concluded a countrywide
> > tour whose main objective has been to sensitize local authorities on dos and
> > don’ts as far co elections are concerned. Laws are very clear on separation
> > of party and state.
> > The Commission will continue to sensitize the nation on this issue and will
> > write a letter to the Minister of Local Government highlighting this issue.
> > 2. There has always been full and unconditional cooperation for the Armed
> > and police Forces of the Gambia in guaranteeing that the armed personnel of
> > the security services are confined to their barracks during Electoral
> > Processes. The only security officials that are appointed during electoral
> > processes are those that are requested by the Commission. These are the
> > security personnel that are engaged to safeguard the candidates as per
> > request, the elections commissioners and teams who man polling stations.
> > Notwithstanding, the Commission will convene a meeting with all security
> > heads to discuss all matters relating to the level of participation expected
> > from the security forces in order for them to positively impact an the
> > forthcoming Elections.
> > 3. The cooling off day is a day designated by the Commission as a non
> > activity day for politics. All stakeholders should desist from campaigns,
> > rallies, political gatherings and any form of mass gatherings that could be
> > contrived as canvassing. This day is so designated in order to allow all
> > parties to cool off prior to voting day. This day also allows voters to
> > reflect on their choice of candidate without any interference from
> > canvassing politicians. In this regard the Commission has in the past and
> > will in the future sensitize stakeholders to understand the essence of this
> > day in the elections calendar so as to value its significance. The
> > Commission will take the step of setting up monitoring teams made up of
> > staff of the Commission to monitor areas where elections are being held.
> > These monitors will be given the mandate to break up any political gathering
> > on the cooling off day. The Commission would appeal to all stake holders to
> > do their own monitoring and to report any such infringements to the
> > Commission. In turn the commission will take punitive measures against
> > anyone found contravening this policy.
> > 4. The Commission has made major strides in the area of equal access to the
> > state media during campaign periods. Equal access is given to all contesting
> > parties during this period. This will continue during the forth coming
> > National Assembly Elections. All contesting parties including Independent
> > Candidates will be given the opportunity to be heard on Public Radio and
> > where possible on Public Television. The Commission will activate a media
> > monitoring unit who will monitor the air waves on behalf of the commission
> > and report any infringement of the code of campaign ethics to the commission
> > for swift action.
> > The time allocated to parties and candidates should be used to give outlet
> > to divergent views. As has augured in the past, the Commission will hold
> > meetings with the GRTS to hammer out issues of fair and equal coverage for
> > all contesting parties and candidates. The Commission is of the opinion that
> > during campaigns, equal access to the public media by all candidates is a
> > sine qua non. The commission is also of the opinion that major strides have
> > been made in this regard and cognizant of the fact that our democracy is a
> > process will endeavor to guarantee equal access to the public media to all
> > contesting parties and candidates.
> > 5. The issue of funding for party agents was done in 2006 mainly because
> > funds were available through the Basket Fund. This facility in the
> > Commission’s opinion did go a long way in delivering quality elections to
> > the Gambia. For the forthcoming elections the issue of funding of agents has
> > been fore most on the Commission’s agenda considering that this will be the
> > first time that counting on the spot is introduced in all polling stations,
> > it is the opinion of the Commission that it will only add credibility to the
> > process if it is witnessed by agents of all contesting candidates. In this
> > regard, the commission has already embarked on drives to secure funding for
> > candidates agents during the upcoming National Assembly Elections. It is
> > important to note though these funds when made available will only be used
> > to subsidies the up keep of candidates agents at polling stations not for
> > any other purposes. Consequently, these funds will be disbursed at polling
> > stations directly to the candidate’s agents.
> > 6. The modality for counting on the spot will be made clear to all
> > candidates and their agents. All agents will be issued a signed copy of the
> > final count sheet at the end of the count which they will be expected to
> > submit to their candidates. The transparency of the count at the polling
> > station will be given the importance it deserves and all agents will be
> > first hand witnesses of the count. The agents will be required to take all
> > the notes of the count and report back to their candidates. The Commission
> > will sometime after the National Assembly Elections hold a discussion with
> > all parties at a debriefing session on the implementation of counting on the
> > spot.
> > 7. The detection of double registrants has been a good indication that the
> > process of voter registration has been improved. In the past voter
> > registrations there was no tool in the database to detect this menace. The
> > Commission in this regard made the decision to expunge from the register all
> > previous multiple registrations therefore all registered voters can only
> > vote once. Due to time constrains this was the best mechanism we could use
> > in order to have had the time to prepare Registers for Presidential and
> > National Assembly Elections, once we conclude the National Assembly
> > Elections, the Commission will now have the time to take a more in-depth
> > look into this issue and will take preventive steps in this regard.
> > Indelible Ink will be used during National Assembly Elections as a second
> > check to ascertain that on one votes twice.
> > 8. On the freedom to move on Election Day, The Chairman will take up this
> > issue with Inspector General of Police.
> > Movement of voters should not be impeded. The Commission is aware that quite
> > a number of voters actually move from their places of residence to their
> > places of birth to vote, This being the main reason why, Election Day has
> > traditionally been designated a public holiday.
> > Cognizant of this fact, the commission will have a dialogue with the IGP and
> > all Commissioners of police at the Administrative Area level to guarantee
> > freedom of movement prior and during Election Day.
> > In this regard the Commission also appeals that any such hindrances to
> > movement be informed immediately to the Commission for swift action.
> > 9. On the issue of freedom to support financially any candidate. The
> > Commission has gone through its files and has no record of any complain made
> > in this regard. It is the opinion that Gambians have the sovereign right to
> > freely contribute financially to the activities of any political party of
> > their choice. Notwithstanding, the above, the Commission will monitor this
> > concern closely. It is the ardent belief of the Commission that parties are
> > best funded by the grassroots, any Gambian who contributes to a political
> > campaign will definitely vote for that candidate in an election, in this
> > regard, the Commission has repeatedly expressed that elections are a
> > sovereign right of the people, and these rights include supporting any
> > candidate of their choice morally, financially and of course through casting
> > ballots. In short the Commission encourages the participation of Gambians in
> > the political process on all levels and will always protect the sovereign
> > right of Gambians to participate freely in this process.
> > 10. There has been no attempt to stifle elections in the Gambia; on the
> > contrary, we have just gone through the first election in the second
> > republic that has been funded solely by the Government of the Gambia. In
> > this regard, the Commission can only say that the level of support we have
> > received from Central Government, the National Assembly and all Gambians in
> > general gives us the confidence to say that our democracy is healthy and
> > vibrant and is under no threat.
> > 11. On postponement of National Assembly Election Day, The Commission
> > categorically stands by this date and National Assembly Elections will be
> > held as planned on the 29th March 2011. The Constitution clearly states that
> > the National Assembly Elections will be held four months after the
> > Presidential Elections, this date has been Gazetted, all preparations are in
> > place to hold this elections successfully, potential candidates from various
> > political parties and have already collected nomination packages. The
> > Commission encourages all Political Parties to participate in these
> > elections in order to fulfill their raison d’être.
> > 12. The Commission has sworn to protect the laws of the Gambia and in
> > particular to uphold the Elections Laws of this country. These laws
> > fundamentally dictate the modus operandi of the Commission. The Commission
> > acts in line with the laws, independent of any influence from any political
> > party, this being the only way to achieving the status of a free, fair and
> > transparent Referee. The Elections act 2001 is clear on this issue. Section
> > 104 part 7 clearly states that a political party shall not receive any
> > contribution from any person who is not a citizen of the Gambia or from any
> > body corporate or incorporated.
> > The Commission will proactively act on any contraventions of the law and
> > therefore behoves all stakeholders to formally lodge complaints in writing
> > to the Commission.
> > When there is evidence of contravention.
> > In this regard the Commission will have to follow dictates of the law as
> > stipulated in Section 104 part 7.
> > Finally, the Commission promotes a healthy dialogue with and amongst all
> > stakeholders in the political process. As referees, we will continue, to
> > manage the electoral process in the Gambia to the best of our God given
> > abilities listening to all concerns from stakeholders yet making informed
> > decisions without any undue hindrance and interference, so help us God.
> > Yours sincerely
> > Alh. Mustapha L. Carayol
> > CHAIRMAN
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > This article comes from FOROYAA Online
> > http://www.foroyaa.gm
> >
> > The URL for this story is:
> > http://www.foroyaa.gm/modules/news/article.php?storyid=9123
> > --
> > -Laye
> > ==============================
> > "With fair speech thou might have thy will,
> > With it thou might thy self spoil."
> > --The R.M
> > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To
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> >
> >
> > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
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> 
> -- 
> www.suntoumana.blogspot.com
> 
> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
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