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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Jan 2008 : 16:14:40
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Kanifing Municipal Elections
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The turnout at the 2008 local government elections in the Kanifing Municipality has been extremely low despite a massive propaganda campaign from both parties involved. Many presiding officers described the turnout as the worst in the history of election in the country. There was hardly any queue at all the polling stations I visited.
At the New Jeshwang and Ebo Town polling stations from B59 to B70A, all the presiding officers expressed dismay over the low turnout of voters. They pointed out that on most occasions the queue does not exceed three people.
They pointed out that most voters were elderly women. Most presiding officers indicated that they have 500 to 1000 voters in their voters list but that up to midday less than hundred voters cast their votes. They all said that they had not encountered any problem with the voters and that all their election materials were in tack.
At Tallinding Ward, from B71 to B82A, it seems as if no voting was taking place at all. The polling sign board was the sign polling going on within the area. Electoral officers and polling agents could often be seen chatting for minutes before a voter turned up. They said that up to 2:00 pm none of the polling stations had received more than 150 voters, noting that the majority of voters were women. They expected voters to turnout in large numbers before the end of the day as it is a public holiday.
At the Fagi Kunda Ward, from B1 to B9A, the same trend of low voter turnout was observed. Electoral officials expressed surprise at the low turnout of voters. Most said they were expecting a good turnout within the Kanifing Municipality as it is one of the most populated electoral division in the country. Some party agents alluded the low voter turnout to the loss of confidence of the people.
At the Bundung Six Junction/ Bundung Mauritani Ward, from B18 to B25, it seemed like no election was taking place at all. Voters could be seen coming to cast their votes but only one at a time. Presiding officers indicated that it seemed like the message of local government elections did not reach the people; or that the
people did not take the matter seriously. Party agents said even though their parties had campaigned vigorously for the masses to come out in there numbers to cast their votes on the election date this did not seem to have yielded result.
At the Serekunda/ London Corner Ward, from B83 to B90A, at around 2:00 pm, there was no queue at all the polling stations mentioned.
Presiding officers expressed dissatisfaction at the turnout.
At the Bakau/ Cape Point Ward, from B41 to B48, there was an average voter turnout at some polling stations. At most polling stations in the Old Bakau area the turnout was a bit better than many places. Voters could be seen trying to locate the polling stations where they were supposed to cast their votes. Many people could also be seen at the last minutes rushing to cast their votes before the time elapsed. Many presiding officers indicated that in the morning there was very low turnout; that later in the day many decided to come out to cast their votes. Party agents indicated that they are not satisfied with the turnout compared to the number of eligible voters in the area. They also added that more campaign time would have been given to politicians to enable them to inform the electorate about their policies; that the electorate also needed more time to differentiate whom to vote for.
Most of the people that I spoke to within the Kanifing Municipality seem not to have interest in the local government polls. Most said they did not see the significance of voting in these elections when they did not even know the contestants. Some said they only saw posters of the candidates whom they could not even identify within the general public. Some pointed out that most the contestants are out to pursue their personal benefits and not the general development of their wards. Some said they totally lack confidence in the political leaders, pointing out that they only come to the people when they need their votes.Foroyaa will get in touch with those elected to get their views.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
No. 11/2008, 25 - 27 January, 2008
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