The Gambia’s parliament’s rejection of an electoral clause that will have granted Gambians within the diaspora the best to vote and stand for election has sparked outrage and widespread condemnations.
Twenty-five National Assembly members, solely from the ruling National People’s Party and from its allied National Reconciliation Party in addition to nominated and Independent members voted in opposition to the clause. Fourteen different lawmakers, primarily from the opposition United Democratic Party voted in favour of the clause.
In response to the choice by the nation’s lawmaking home, Gambians dwelling each at house and overseas have been venting their disappointment over the parliament’s rejection.
Modou Ceesay, urged the citizens to keep away from electing their lawmakers primarily based solely on their tribe or friendship, as a substitute advocating for the election of competent people into the nation’s parliament.
He asserted that the Gambia stays the one nation whose residents dwelling overseas are denied voting rights.
“Even Guinea Bissau citizens living abroad vote, and The Gambia gained its independence before it,” he stated.
Sulayman Dampha added: “the lawmakers who voted in opposition to the diaspora voting proper betrayed Gambians. We have seen nationals of different international locations voting within the nation when their nation goes to the polls. It’s a disgrace and disappointing. They are doing a disservice to the nation as a result of they’ve rejected the draft structure and this clause to allow the diaspora voting rights.
Kebba Jammeh additionally expressed dismay over the rejection which now denied the Gambian diaspora a proper to vote.
He added: “ I am very saddened by the rejection of the diaspora voting rights by our National Assembly members, who have denied their fellow citizens the right to vote in elections. But they have done this in bad faith for the country and in good faith for President Adama Barrow.”
Sanna Sillah stated: “if not the Gambian diaspora, the country would have been plunged into serious economic disaster. These are people who keep our ailing economic lives by sending home remittances. And now these groups of national assembly members denied them the right to vote.”
By Adama Makasuba
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