Mr Abdoulie Baks Touray, former Secretary General of the Gambia National Olympic Committee, who boycotted Saturday's controversial GNOC presidential election for what he called constitutional crisis, has written a petition to the Chairman and Members of the Independent Electoral Commission as well as the President of the International Olympic Committee.
Below is the full text of the petition sent to Pointsport at the weekend:
PETITION TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION (IEC)
12th February 2011
The Chairman
Independent Electoral Commission
Bakau
Dear Sir,
We respectfully submit that, we are law-abiding citizens with a deep respect for constitutional authority, of which the process for conduct of free and fair elections is a fundamental pillar. The IEC ensures the conduct of credible elections premised on a voters list agreed by parties submitted and verified and endorsed by the Electoral Authority. As per that Constitution in this case that of the GNOC Constitution whose authority are the elections scheduled of 12 February 2011 are being conducted, as no voter list was presented to us by the IEC or the GNOC Bureau.
The list of voters unilaterally presented to the IEC by the GNOC for the aborted 20th October 2010 elections was inaccurate and unconstitutional.
The list from the NAM Select Committee Report clearly indicated that, there report was INTERIM hence the list was deemed as INTERIM. The International Olympic Committee in endorsing the date for the elections clearly reconfirmed that the voters list must respect the provisions of the GNOC Constitution. For the second time, this is not the case, due to the manipulations of the IOC Member.
We petitioned the NAM Select Sub-Committee on youth and sports contesting the voter list they presented as per Appendix I.
We also respectfully petitioned the President of the Republic of the
We also petitioned the President of the International Olympic Committee chevalier Jacques Rogge as per Appendix III.
We have the highest respect and honour to reaffirm that the GNOC elections should be conducted based solely on the provisions of the GNOC Constitution premised on a level playing field with due regard to the fundamental pillars of FAIR PLAY and RESPECT, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.
Olympism and sports teaches us the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles. We must demonstrate this by leadership and example for our athletes and the Youth.
The code of ethics of the IOC underpins the fact that FAIRNESS IS paramount. The governing bodies of sports must therefore be seen to be upholding and defending the principles of FAIRPLAY and their code of ethics and conduct, even against members who compromise these principles. It is not about position; it is about the fundamental principles of Olympism and the Commonwealth virtues.
It was Martin Luther King, who said "Injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere."
We regret that our integrity and conscience does not allow us to be part of a process that is unconstitutional.
Thank you for your understanding, we renew our faith and trust in constitutional authority, who are sworn to preserve, protect and defend their respective constitutions.
Yours sincerely,
Abdoulie Baks Touray
