PAG urges parties to abide by IEC Electoral Code of Conduct

Bubacarr Sambou was speaking on Monday at his office, while presenting a report of its findings and recommendations after successfully observing the nomination process. 

PAG is an international organisation established in The Gambia on 17 May 2001 and the organisation has been functioning in all the administrative regions of the country. It focuses mainly on peace education, conflict resolution, youth and civic empowerment.

As December 4th crucial elections draws closer, political parties in the country commenced their campaigns yesterday, Tuesday 9th November 2021. This comes following the electoral body’s approval of nomination of five political parties and an independent candidate on Saturday. 

Sambou also called on political parties to avoid hate speeches and use of defamatory languages during their campaigns.

“Whereas rival parties meet on the way or cross paths during the campaign, let them see The Gambia first and not any other thing.” 

He also appealed to political stakeholders to maintain peace, while urging them to interact and entertain themselves without resorting to any violence when they meet or cross paths.

Peace Ambassadors - The Gambia has since 2006 monitored elections held in The Gambia - presidential, parliamentary and local government elections and will be deploying 59 long-term observers who would include 6 regional coordinators and 53 constituency observers to observe this year’s campaign process in all regions and constituencies.  

The observers will observe and report on campaign processes such as political rallies, campaign marches and demonstrations, debates, the use of the media, flyers, posters, billboards or community outreach events as well as watch out for campaign violence within their assigned areas such as propagation of hate speeches and divisive messages, intimidation and harassment targeted at electoral actors and other groups.

Meanwhile, those whose nominations were accepted and approved to contest this year’s elections include incumbent President Adama Barrow of National People’s Party (NPP), Lawyer Ousainou Darboe of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Halifa Sallah of the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), Mama Kandeh of Gambia Moral Congress (GDC), Abdoulie Ebrima Jammeh of the National Unity Party (NUP) as well as independent candidate, Essa Faal, who is the former Lead Counsel at the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).

15 other aspirants were rejected by the IEC for failing to meet certain requirements.