By Buba Gagigo
Gambia Participates has urged the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to remain proactive, clear, and responsive all through the electoral course of for the upcoming Masembeh by-election on twenty second February. The name was made able paper shared with Kerr Fatou.
“While the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has assured the public of its readiness, experience has shown that even well-prepared electoral bodies can encounter challenges in the electoral cycle and election day itself. Issues such as late deployment of materials, inconsistent application of electoral laws, election-related violence, and vote-buying have been observed in past elections, with little accountability. To prevent such occurrences, Gambia Participates urges the IEC to remain proactive, transparent, and responsive throughout the process,” the group said.
As a part of their election statement mission, Gambia Participates emphasised their dedication to offering correct updates on the electoral course of. They will deal with key areas together with the opening of polling stations, voter turnout and participation, adherence to electoral procedures and legal guidelines, incidents of irregularities like voter intimidation or electoral malpractice, the counting and declaration of outcomes, and any crucial incidents.
“To achieve this, Gambia Participates will deploy a short-term election observation mission across all four polling stations in Massembeh ward as roving observers. Using a standard checklist, our observers will provide real-time reports to ensure that voters, political parties, and stakeholders receive accurate and unbiased information about the election’s conduct,” they added.
Gambia Participates has additionally referred to as on all related events to contribute to making sure a reputable and peaceable election. Below are their key suggestions:
1. IEC should make sure the well timed deployment of election supplies and personnel, keep open communication with stakeholders, and act swiftly to deal with any arising challenges.
2. Security businesses should be adequately deployed throughout polling stations and stay skilled, impartial, and vigilant. Security forces ought to guarantee a peaceable atmosphere and shield the rights of voters, observers, and the media. The skilled deployment and conduct of safety personnel is essential to sustaining calm and order.
3. Political events, candidates, and supporters should decide to peaceable participation, keep away from provocative rhetoric, and reject any type of vote-buying or electoral malpractice.In its concluding remarks, Gambia Participates cautioned all stakeholders towards participating in vote-buying, emphasizing that it’s a punishable election offence beneath Gambian legislation.
In its concluding remarks, Gambia Participates cautioned all stakeholders towards participating in vote-buying, emphasizing that it’s a punishable election offence beneath Gambian legislation.
“Vote buying is an election offence which is punishable under the laws of The Gambia. The integrity of this election depends on fair play from all actors. Voters in Massembeh ward are encouraged to turn out and exercise their democratic right to vote and remain peaceful and vigilant throughout the process. Their voices matter, and their votes will determine the leadership of their community,” they stated.