The Independent Electoral Commission, IEC, has warned against the disruption and interruption of the campaign entourages of presidential candidates currently touring in connection with the forthcoming presidential election in the country.
A statement issued by the Commission yesterday reiterated that “no single individual or group has the authority to disrupt, interrupt or stop any other party or individual, especially the presidential candidates’ campaign entourages.”
According to the Commission, political rights and franchise of the individual are among several rights stipulated and guaranteed in chapter IV of the 1997 Gambian Constitution.
“Section 26 of this chapter states that every citizen of The Gambia of full age and capacity should have the right, without unreasonable restriction: to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives and to vote and stand for election at genuine periodic elections for public office, which election shall be by universal and equal suffrage and be held by secret ballot,” the statement said.
The Independent Electoral Commission further stated that priority will be given to the campaign itineraries of the presidential candidates, and that all local campaign programmes should be sent to the regional offices across the country for approval.
This directive, it said, is to be adhered to for the entire period of the official election campaign.
“Remember that free political activity and a level playing field are [sic] one of the principles of the conduct of a free, fair and transparent election,” the Commission said, while stating that the Telephone Number 4376532 is the hotline for any comments and questions with regard to the election.
