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Momodou
Denmark
11823 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Feb 2007 : 12:57:12
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Foroyaa Editorial
SENEGALESE ELECTION LESSONS
As we go to press the electorate of our only neighbour, Senegal, are going to the polls. The campaign has not been without hitches, but one thing is quite evident - security forces have not put themselves in a compromising situation to be used as a pawn at the service of the ruling party. Rather, they have displayed a fair degree of neutrality and professionalism in their conduct.
The media as a whole has played the honourable role of providing a channel for candidates to be heard by the electorate. Both the non-governmental and the state owned media, be they the print or electronic media, gave a wide coverage of the campaign and polling.
The non-governmental media were not afraid of closure consequent upon their broadcast or publication of views of political opponents. Even the state owned television was not transformed into the mouth piece of the ruling party. Not only were political parties granted equal air time for party political broadcast, Abdoulie Wadda's image and footages of his activities did not overwhelm the electorate to give him an edge over his opponents. These broadcasts were given priority because of their importance and made at peak periods.
No one felt threatened of losing one's job because of lack of support for the ruling party or supporting the opposition. Many Gambians who monitored the campaign felt the free atmosphere that prevailed during the campaign.
One thing that many Gambians also appreciated is the sight of Senegalese voters queuing to vote in The Gambia. Well, this is not the first time. The Senegalese have given effect to the right of their citizens abroad to vote unlike The Gambia.
Section 26 of the constitution makes the right to vote a fundamental right. Paragraph (b) states:
"Every citizen of The Gambia of full age and capacity shall have the right, without unreasonable restrictions to vote and stand for elections at genuine periodic elections for pubic office, which elections shall be universal and equal suffrage and be held by secret ballot."
Section 39 (1) which is an entrenched clause states:-
"Every citizen of The Gambia being eighteen years or older and of sound mind shall have the right to vote for the purpose of elections of a President ............"
Every citizen here means every citizen, whether resident in The Gambia or abroad. This is why the Elections Decree makes provision in section 141 for Gambians abroad to participate in presidential elections. It states:
"The Independent Electoral Commission may make rules for Gambians in any foreign country to vote in a Presidential election."
President Jammeh however sees this issue differently. He feels that the thousands of Gambians abroad who plough a thousand or so million dalasi into the economy each year and help to stabilize the foreign exchange balance should come to The Gambia every five years in order to vote.
This attitude has killed the spirit of the IEC to register Gambians abroad to vote at elections. In short, one can safely say tens of thousands living abroad have been disenfranchised. There has to be a turn around.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 023/2007, 26-27 February 2007
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