The
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) yesterday received and endorsed the
candidature of Mamma Kandeh, party leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress,
for the December 1 presidential election.
The
Chairman of the IEC, Alieu Momar Njai, told Mamma Kandeh that he is qualified
to run for the presidency because he has produced all the things the IEC
needed.
He
had met all the requirements, Njai declared.
IEC
chairman Njai further said the election would not be rigged, and “it is going
to be free and fair”.
He
stated that before voting starts, all the party agents would ensure that the
polling drums are totally empty and would be sealed in the presence of party
agents and representatives.
He
said nobody has the right to enter the polling booth, except the one who is
going to vote. So there will be transparency, the IEC chairman assured the
candidate.
He
further told Kandeh that all the documents he had submitted are subject to
scrutiny, and any complaint or anything that was not properly done would be
communicated to him; but as of now he could be handed the letter to say that
the IEC categorically accepted his nomination.
Mamma
Kandeh, in his remarks, thanked all the members of the GDC and everyone,
especially the IEC, for giving them the opportunity to be part of the electoral
process, and the sensitisation exercise that has been conducted by the IEC
nationwide.
“Gambians
have been calling and registering their appreciation for what the IEC is doing
in terms of sensitization, and giving them the right to vote for anyone they
feel like voting for.
“I
concur with the IEC that the elections cannot be rigged, especially this coming
election, because we have also been following the footsteps of the IEC and the
environment you have created for all the political parties,” the GDC leader
added.
“The
election is going to be free and fair, and the GDC is a party that respects
everybody’s dignity and rights, and we are non-violent people and our message
is always peace.
“I,
therefore, urge all political parties to maintain the same spirit, and the
election is just a number of days and is done; and afterall we are Gambians and
we will remain Gambians.
“We
are also one family and The Gambia is too small for us to create violence
within us; it is something that we don’t need,” he said.