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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 18:12:32
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Election Observers Present Their Reports
By Amie Sanneh
Various observers of January 24th Local Government Elections, yesterday, presented their reports to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) at the Paradise Suites Hotel.
The observer teams included the Coalition of Civil Society organisations, the International Society for Human
Rights in Africa, Africa in Democracy and Good Governance, National Youth Parliament and National Youth Council.
Observers were able to critically analyse their observations on election day. They also made recommendations.
The observers described the election as freely and fairly conducted. They also described the IEC agents and security personnel as cooperative and friendly to voters.
However, they also noted some shortcomings which included the late opening of polling stations. “Polls were expected to open at 7 am, but most polls started after seven or even half past seven”, one of the reports observed. They also observed the transparency of some polling booths which were covered with light curtains affecting the secrecy that should characterize the booths. It is observed that at some polling stations, only the APRC polling agents were present during the opening of the polls.
The NYC noted that the final results compiled for each polling station were not announced at the counting centres; that at polling stations ballot tokens were not counted by the Presiding Officers but only announced; that at some polling stations, some party polling agents wore apparels bearing party symbols, such as hangers for mobile phones;that at the Latrikunda Sabiji counting centre, space was lacking and proper lighting was absent.
Observers also observed the low turnout despite the intensive sensitization of the public. They described this election as the worst in Gambian history, in terms of voter turnout.
The National Youth Council also raised specific issues of concern. They observed that at polling station B50 at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, a ballot box was sealed with a chewing gum which was discovered by a voter.
They also observed that certain data supplied by Presiding Officers in their reports do not tally with the results at the counting.
The Youth Council also reports that some results do not tally with the reports by the Presiding Officers.
The National Youth Parliament (NYP) observed the occasional interruption and display of party materials and symbols at certain polling stations, such as Tallinding Bantaba, Tanji and Sareh Soffie.
Some polling stations, the NYP report observed, were located on highways making it difficult for road users to pass and that some counting centres were too congested.
The Africa in Democracy and Good Governance (ADG), on its part observed that posters of some candidates were pasted near polling stations which were readily addressed by the Presiding Officers. It is the view of the ADG that political parties and candidates did not sensitize the electorate enough which led to the worst voter turnout in Gambian history.
Recommendations
The National Youth Council made the following recommendations:
(1) A base line survey to know the issues related to the low turnout as witnessed in recent elections.
(2) Provide adequate training for IEC Polling Officers and party agents on their roles and responsibilities during polling.
(3) Intensify the voter education programme by using the peer to peer approach, the media and the involvement of youth serving organization, NGOs and community based organisation.
The National Youth Parliament (NYP) on its part recommended that:
(1) Prior to elections, lists of voters should be published at each polling station to enable the voter, before the start of the polls, to establish the right polling station where he/she should vote.
(2) Improvement of logistic arrangements, e.g. the provision of enough vehicles for the transportation of the ballot boxes to counting centres on time.
(3) To strengthen the voter education programmes to remedy the low turnout of voters at polls, especially among young people.
All the election observers concluded that the Local Government Elections were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.
They also concluded that voting materials were sufficiently supplied to various polling stations.
The observers also concluded in their reports that security personnel were dispatched to all the polling stations and counting centres across the country and did their duties accordingly, as expected.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 12/2008, 28 – 29 January 2008
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