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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Jan 2008 : 20:10:28
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Foroyaa Editorial
19,441 VOTERS IN BANJUL AND 4640 VOTES FOR APRC: 124,000 IN KM AND 19,073 VOTES FOR APRC
IS THE APRC PROUD OF THE RESULTS?
The results of the Local government elections should send alarm signals to all supporters of the ruling party. This is a quasi referendum for a party in government. The lesson the opposition should learn is simple and clear. They are yet to put their house in order to merit the confidence and trust of the people. They are not in office and have another four years to listen to the will of the people. It is the APRC which has the mandate to govern. Hence, if the people can turn their back at it and refuse to vote just a year after the National Assembly elections, it members should be worried instead of jubilating.
Nothing can erode the integrity of an electoral system more than the candidate of a ruling party winning an election with 200 votes and the opponent having a lesser figure Let us refer to such results in Banjul and KMC:
Banjul Kanifing Admin Area
Electorate 19,441 128,451
Ballot Cast 5,707 27,485
% Turnout 29.4% 21.4%
In our view, this should be a period of contemplation for the APRC rather than a pompous display of political prowess. The President can restore confidence in the system by his party engaging in constitutional, electoral and local government reforms. By 2011 he would have been in office for 17 years. What ever a leader cannot do in 17 years cannot be done again. The APRC regime should promote the establishment of a term limit and the holding of a free and fair election where its current leader will only serve as an umpire executive to encourage the Gambian people to look for an alternative. This is one way forward to put an end to voter apathy.
Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 13/2008, 30 – 31 January 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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