The United Democratic Party (UDP) has issued a statement condemning the attack on State House on 30 December 2014 by some Gambian dissidents abroad.
The statement by one of the leading opposition parties in the country said the UDP “believes that the gun and the bullet are not the acceptable substitute for the ballot and the ballot token”.
“Gambians of all political persuasion should repose their confidence in the ballot box as a means of effecting a regime change,” the UDP statement declares.
The following is the full statement of the UDP:
Statement by the United Democratic Party on the 30th December 2014 Incident
The 30th December 2014 incident however described runs contrary to our constitutional arrangement for changing government. The United Democratic Party believes that the gun and the bullet are not the acceptable substitute for the ballot and the ballot token. Gambians of all political persuasion should repose their confidence in the ballot box as a means of effecting a regime change. Let us all embrace the electoral process.
As we reject extra legal means of regime change, we call on the Government of The Gambia to make the electoral process attractive, encourage and allow free participation by all in the political life of the country within the limits permitted by the 1997 Constitution and other laws. For this, a comprehensive electoral reform that ensures free fair election and credible elections and the right of the citizens to freely express their views on matters affecting them are among key issues that need to be addressed.
Long live the tyranny of the law!
Long live The Gambia!