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UDP, NRP Constitutional Case Set for Next Session

Nov 25, 2008, 5:22 AM | Article By: Modou Sanyang

The constitutional contest filed by the United Democratic Party, National Reconciliation Party and Momodou K.Sanneh against the Attorney General and the Independent Electoral Commission has been deferred until the next session of the Supreme Court.

According to Chief Justice Abdou Kareem Savage, the panel was not properly constituted to hear the matter. He said they would endeavour to have the Seven-Member Panel of Judges to hear the matter.

The three plaintiffs are contesting at the Supreme Court against the 2007 Local Government Amendment Act passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President of the Republic.

The 2007 Local Government Amendment Act gave the President of the Republic the power to remove and dissolve the elected Councillors and also the non-election of Area Council Chairmen through universal adult suffrage. According to them, it runs contrary to the spirit and the intent of section 193(1) of the constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, and therefore void and of no effect.