"What we have seen since 2016 is the continuous erosion of rule of law where elections are concerned," Mr Taal said at a press conference that was held at Pipe Line purposely to condemn the alleged vote-buying and offering of inducement and bribery by the National People's Party.
"But before that, I would like to remind all of you that tomorrow [14th April] would mark 7 years when Solo Sandeng last saw the light of day; 7 years when Solo Sandeng’s family last saw him; 7 years when he took out the banner at Westfield and said to Gambians we have to fight for constitutional and electoral reforms," Mr Taal said.
"Seven (7) years on, there has not been any significant electoral reforms," Mr Taal lamented.
Mr Ebrima Solo Sandeng was a prominent Gambian activist and a youth leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party.
On April 14, 2016, Sandeng, led a protest at West Field but was eventually arrested by Gambian police officers along with more than 20 other demonstrators and bystanders, who were brutally beaten and mercilessly tortured in the custody of the then National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Mr Sandeng never recovered from his injuries as he died.
Following removal of the autocratic regime of Jammeh in 2017 and eventual ushering-in of a new dispensation, Sandeng’s remains were exhumed by the Government and were later placed under High Court custody as evidence in the trial of Yankuba Badjie (former director general of the defunct NIA), Sheikh Omar Jeng, alias Sir Jeng, (ex-deputy director of operations), Baboucar Sallah, Tamba Mansareh, Lamin Darboe and Lamin Lang Sanyang (medic) and Haruna Suso.
Except Haruna Suso, the men (6) were eventually convicted by Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara.
Ebrima Solo Sandeng, a staunch advocate of democracy and human rights, was honoured and finally laid to rest three months ago - 10th January - in a widely graced state funeral.
However, the State has faced backlashes and criticisms for purportedly playing double standards, as many argue it has failed to perform to the expectations of victims by not only refusing them justice but also not fulfilling its campaign promises, such as ensuring electoral and constitutional reforms, for which Solo Sandeng died in the hands of state security.
Thus, United Democratic Party on Thursday remembered Solo as the party condemned what it calls electoral fraud by the incumbent Adama Barrow National People's Party (NPP), which has been alleged of vote-buying and bribery to win Saturday's councillorship elections and the upcoming mayor and chairmanship elections slated for 20th May.
