The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) should be commended for carrying out a successful nationwide voter registration exercise ahead of the scheduled Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government elections, and the Gambian populace for turning out in their large numbers at the various registration centers across the country.
We are indeed impressed by the latest provisional figures released by the IEC during the fifth week of the exercise, which indicated that 779,992 Gambians have registered to date.
The IEC has nearly met the target of 800,000, and is expected before the end of the sixth week, to even go beyond this target.
In our view, this has shown that Gambians are fully aware of their civil and political rights.
We have to understand that as citizens, the constitution has made it clear that the only people eligible to vote and be voted for in an election are those who have reached the age of 18 years and above.
The registration exercise is very important for the country, because these voters’ cards will enable us to elect the leaders of the country, who will be charged with the responsibility ofrunning the day-to-day affairs of our dear nation, The Gambia.
People should not play with the registration exercise, since it determines the future of our country.
Time has come for people to know that if they do not have a voter’s card they will become voiceless, and they should not blame anybody but themselves.
The IEC has made it clear that wherever one registers, is the place where the individual is going to cast his or her vote during the scheduled elections.
We would also like to thank the government for putting all the necessary logistics in place for a successful general voter registration exercise.
