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Anonymous writer calls for resignation of head of Gambia’s electoral commission
Tuesday, 05 April 2011 15:08
Dear EditorThe irresponsible comments of the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Council(IEC) of The Gambia, Alhagie Mustapha Carayol that we should all be satisfied and grateful that the government of The Gambia is committing D65 Million (Dalasis) to the series of elections to be held at the end of this year and the first quarter of next year is beyond the pale. It is a disgrace and an affront to our democracy and the rights and sensibility of our people, especially Gambians like myself living in the diaspora and he should publicly apologise or resign forthwith.
This is one of the most insulting and disgraceful comments I have heard from such a public official heading such a sensitive public institution as the IEC. I am baffled more in fact by the sheer contempt he seem to display at the idea when responding to the question. I cannot believe this official (who is obviously incompetent) is heading the main public institution that is mandated to conduct free and fair elections in The Gambia.
I reject the idea that The Gambia lacks the logistical, diplomatic and human resource requiremenst necessary to accomplish the task of extending the solemn and inalienable right to vote to its vast number of citizens in the diaspora; eligible Gambian citizens residing in the Americas, Europe, Asia and parts of the African continent. The IEC should have taken strong, comprehensive and exhaustive steps to garner material and financial support from donor partners, the International community and organizations that seek to advance democracy and even the regional bodies to help bankroll this undertaking. Needless to say that there are much less prosperous states that were able to extend similar arrangements and the right to vote to their citizens in other countries such as The Gambia during recent elections. Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and most recently Guinea Conakry are few examples of African nations that deemed it necessary and prudent to include their diaspora nationals in t!
heir elections.
Mr. Carayol needs to be reminded that the Gambia government is simply fulfilling its constitutional requirements by making the financial commitment it made to help ensure free, fair and credible elections in The Gambia. Furthermore, it is fulfilling this moral and constitutional responsibility with tax dalasis from the Gambian people and remittances from Gambians abroad. Maybe Mr. Carayol should be more worried about living up to the vital task managing elections that are accessible and guarding the trust Gambians bestowed on him, rather than some misplaced fear of hurting some one's feelings. I am strongly urging all political parties in The Gambia including the APRC under President Jammeh's leadership to petition the IEC to stop Mr. Carayol's efforts at disenfranchising Diaspora Gambians from our country's election process.This is a matter of national unity, pride and identity and a clear test to our national democratic process. DO NOT! disnfranchise this population that !
forms a strong base of the Gambian economy.
Mr. Anonymous
USA
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Comments
That could buy another National Assembly to house the winner.
Complete with spa hotel, golf course and leisure centre.
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