The
battle for the hearts and minds of the people of Janjanbureh will be decided
today by the electorate of that constituency.
After the by-election, which is currently under way in the constituency, all shall know who the people want to represent them at the National Assembly.
And in this equation, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has to ensure that everything about the election and voting goes well and fine.
Peace and tranquility should be the norm, guided by fair play from both sides and the arbiter of the contest – the IEC.
Section 26 of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia states that “every citizen of The Gambia of full age and capacity shall have the right, without reasonable restrictions to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives, to vote and stand for elections at genuine periodic elections for public office, which elections shall be by universal and equal suffrage and be held by secret ballot.”
This stipulation by the Constitution of The Gambia must be upheld and applied by the IEC at all times.
Furthermore, fair play in every aspect of the election process must also be ensured even after the actual voting or polling day, such as in the mechanisms of the results put out and in any ensuing concerns of either of the parties involved in the contest of the election.
The IEC over the years has been trying its level best to ensure due process of elections in this country is observed and maintained. So we are expecting that trend to continue, as we are a nation known for conducting peaceful elections compared with what obtains around the world.
Peace is a priceless commodity; therefore, it must be jealously guarded and always ensured. But for this to happen, fair play, decent electioneering and just results should be given maximum respect in our struggle to shape the affairs of this country and continue to register national growth and development.
We say good luck to all – both the candidate of the ruling APRC party and that of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP). The people have the final say, and the IEC the interpreting role of that verdict.
“ The people who cast the votes don’t decide an election, the people who count the votes do.”
Joseph Stalin
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