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Editorial: The Case Against Election Boycott
Wednesday, 21 September 2011 00:51
(JollofNews) - Among diasporan Gambians, the freedom of expression and tolerance for divergent views is
second to none. One only need to be a member of the Gambia forum mailing list or reader of online papers to attest to this fact. Since this is not the case back in Banjul, mainly because of lack of a medium, all of which are gagged or forced to self censorship, it is therefore a duty upon us in the diaspora to enlightened and encouraging views that will inspire our people back home, to enable them make informed choices. In recent debates and editorials, many decent Gambians called for an election boycott by the opposition in the coming polls. While we appreciate and agree with many reasons outlined by proponents of a boycott, we wish to respectfully differ with that position.
In so doing we wish to share our observations of trends in our body politic that goes against a massive boycott such as the one being called for.. For a start we believe that going by the realities of the 2006 presidential elections, President Jammeh was elected by default; to wit the absence of the majority of voters. Every Gambian got to know that more people stayed away than those who voted for both Jammeh and the opposition, obviously because they felt disappointed by the disunity of the opposition. Jammeh, through money inducement mobilised all his supporters to the polling stations and yet he could not score half of the registered voters, despite all his monotonous usage of GRTS to spread his massage about development.
In our view, the same scenario is unfolding this time also. Scores of people have registered purely because they hope the opposition would unite and maximise their chances of winning against incumbent Yahya Jammeh. This is the average Gambian who does not want to see Jammeh in charge of government but only avoid him to safe their skin from his use of force and abuse of state machinery. Again they are monitoring our opposition for any sign of unity and seriousness so that they will march to the polling booth and reject Jammeh massively and quietly. No amount of intimidation or foolish propaganda would shake these people. Please do not think that our confidence in this matter is misplaced, for all reasonable thinking people have concluded that Jammeh cannot win a free and fair elections; all what is required is the opposition to unite and force that election to be free and fair. Only a powerful and united opposition can forced in a free and fair election not an election boycott or a fragmented opposition.
Secondly, in our experience Jammeh would be very happy with an uncontested election which infact would be handing power to him in a silver platter. Therefore politicians of the other side of the divide, Gambian people are watching you just as they are watching Yahya Jammeh. Take your destiny and probably that of the country and for the benefit of the people, unite and force Jammeh to respect the legitimate opposition with all full rights accorded in an electioneering period: No boycott can achieve that.
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Comments
We are talking about the representative of a drugs cartel,not only having access to the President of a country,but offering him a drugs deal.
The questions that we should ask are these:
(1) How did this drugs dealer have access to the President ?
(2) What protocol channels were followed to set up this meeting ?
(3) Most importantly,wha t happened to this drugs dealer ?
(4) Was he/she arrested,interr ogated and prosecuted in The Gambia.
I am not a lawyer but I have no doubt that any attempt to involve someone in the importation of drugs into The Gambia is a very serious crime,especiall y when that someone is the President of the country.
Something is not right here. Jammeh needs to tell the nation what happened to this drugs dealer,and if he/she is not languishing in mile 2,then we need to know why ?
May be Arafang Yaya's (as Lalo will call him)powers are working on them.(joke)
Once again,Jammeh will be voted by DEFAULT because we will see massive VOTER APATHY again. I hope I am wrong and the people go out and vote for their candidate of choice.
By the way kangkang,did you see the Wiki Leaks entry of USA Ambassador's meeting with Jammeh,as reported by Freedom Newspaper?
Jammeh is reported to confessing that he was once approach by South American drugs cartels and offered $3million a month if he allows them to transit through Gambia.
Hmmm! Just makes you wonder where the central bank is located.
Is difficult to digest your statement but no matter how you beat about the bush you have said it all. Why if not so they cannot come to terms? Each want to lead and instead of considering representing the people, they considering what their pockets can hold. A fragmented opposition give opportunity to a ruling party and as long as this is the opposition Gambians are to rely on, I urge even people who did not support Jammeh, if they cannot form their own party is better they remain silence because politics is a game that the one holding power holds the whistle.I don't mean to disrespect anyone but with all the debate going online,is disappointing to see a fragmented opposition. What do genuine critics of Jammeh think of this?
Everyone as long as you call yourself a Gambian want to see a credible, strong, genuine and a united opposition party. Is only those who fail to know and understand what the opposition stand for would like to see a fragmented opposition. I use the word “SELFISH”, not disrespecting them but describing the issues surrounding their differences that make them fail to reach an agreement. I will say again not that I agree everything about Jammeh. Know anything that is suppressive to opponents or a violation of rights of others, not those who infringe the rights of others am against. Theories would tell you that CHANGE CAN ONLY COME WITHIN and is what we not seeing. There is a saying that “WHAT THE OLDMAN SEE’S WHEN SITTING IN DARKNESS, THE YOUNG ONE DOES NOT SEE IT”. This is why I continue to respect your views.
I remember someone writing under the name 'Foroyaa insider' used to cry foul and irregularities in the voter register,claimi ng that Foroyaa was over-represented during the election.
Foroyaa insider used to claim that whilst some papers sent only about 10reps,Foroyaa sent double that number and when I wanted to know whether it was the GPU constitution that restricted these papers to just 10reps and allowed Foroyaa more reps,or whether their members just didn't bother to turn up,he/she started to make all sorts of allegations,whi ch actually question the integrity of the GPU.
So ML unless you know something that I don't know,I fail to see the relevance of the GPU elections in this Opposition Alliance Debate.
As for the problem at hand,I suppose you mean the opposition alliance or the lack of it.
It's no secrete that most people,especial ly diasporan Gambians,would like to see a united opposition that can pose a credible challenge to the APRC. But it's only the parties that can make this happen.Those outside have very little influence over this process,which is still ongoing.
I cannot say that our opposition leaders are selfish just because they are unable to reach a workable and acceptable coalition agreement,but you are entitled to your opinion.
As for the GPU elections,unles s some one can prove otherwise,I believe all who voted were qualified members with the right to vote.
Thanks my brother and don’t misquote me because what I mean in comment 9 is we don’t have answers to the low turn up at the past elections because no one did the survey. We only know the figure that registered to vote and how many voted. We cannot make any assumptions that those who fail to turn up are oppositions or pro government. Why not we discuss the problem in hand? My brother to be honest to you I welcome a peaceful change if people are ready. We talk of change but there are no signs or symbols to show this except divisions, personal gains and selfishness. We have seen even our GPU selection there was no consensus to the appointments. Why we don’t assess our attitudes? Is bitter when I say we talk more and do nothing. Hidden issues would soon be visible to all. My brother am busy following the UN conference which I call the TEA and PADIUM MAKING CONFERENCE.
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