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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Jan 2008 : 16:06:43
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Foroyaa Editorial
APRC Not Popular But the opposition is extremely weak and without mature tactics
The results of the Local government elections have been trickling in as we go to press. What is very clear is
that there is general voter apathy. Never in the history of Gambian elections had such an intensive and
extensive voter education campaign been conducted. No Gambian can claim not to be aware that elections are taking place.
The role of the councils were clearly explained by the Independent Electoral Commission and the National Council for Civic Education.
However, the people were also fully aware of the fact that the councils were not as autonomous as they are expected to be by the Constitution.
The Local Government Act has made the councils to be accountable to the Governors of regions who are appointed by the President and are accountable to the Secretary of State for the Local Government and Lands.
The elections therefore were not designed to empower party candidates to have the capacity to perform their duties without being subjected to dictation by the Executive.
The results of the election have revealed that independent candidates have done better than party candidates.
The best tactic the Opposition could have adopted was to have encouraged credible candidates to stand as Independent Candidates and then take concerted action to support them so as to bring to the fore the unpopularity of the trend towards a monarchical system of Local Government. This would have facilitated concerted action to promote Local Government and electoral reform.
Foroyaa will analyse the results of the elections to determine how each party is faring one year after the presidential and National assembly elections. It is very clear that the Gambian people are demanding for a new electoral and political system. They are no longer satisfied with the way politics is being conducted in this country. We will explore the demands for a way forward.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
No. 11/2008, 25 - 27 January, 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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