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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Oct 2010 : 16:59:37
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APRC retains Sare Ngai Ward
africa » gambia
Friday, October 29, 2010
 The ruling APRC party yesterday retained the Sare Ngai ward seat after it emerged victorious in the much-talked about by-election in the ward in Wuli West constituency in Upper River Region.
Alkali Kebbeh of the APRC polled 1817 (One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventeen) votes while his rival, Menkeh Ebrima Barrow of the opposition NADD, only scored 827 (Eight Hundred and Twenty Seven) votes.
The election, readers would recall, follow the resignation of APRC’s Momodou Barrow of Jah Kunda.
The counting of the election results, according to our reporter in Basse, was held in the village of Kolibantang.
Shortly after the election results were known, The Point spoke to Yankuba Colley, the APRC national mobiliser and Mayor of the Kanifing Municipality, and Halifa Sallah, Secretary General of the opposition Peoples Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism, PDOIS.
Reacting to the election results, Yankuba Colley told The Point, in a telephone interview, that "this is just a signal to tell everybody in this country that the ruling APRC is the winning party".
"We are the winning party, and will remain winning. This also shows that the APRC, at this point in time, cannot lose elections. This is also a signal that the APRC is going to win next year’s general elections hands down," he declared.
According to him, the victory for the ruling APRC has also proven the opposition wrong in their claim that they are gaining support in Wuli West.
"The people of Wuli West are, in fact, joining the ruling APRC. The election results have also added our majority in this ward twofold. The APRC has never recorded such a majority in this ward, and this goes to show that the opposition is losing ground," Mayor Colley further said.
"As I said in my previous interviews, the oppositions pose no threat to the APRC," he added
Halifa Sallah of PDOIS also told The Point in a telephone interview that Wuli West constituency has two wards: Sutukonding and Sare Ngai.
"Sutukonding ward is a NADD seat, while Sare Ngai ward has been an APRC stronghold, and they have emerged to take that seat.
"From my own point of view, this confirms all the more that individual parties cannot take on the ruling party without bringing something new to the electorate," he said.
According to Halifa Sallah, there are 6,474 registered voters in Sare Ngai ward, and only 2645 went out to cast their votes, even though both the APRC and NADD conducted a vigorous campaign.
"All together, the combined voters of the APRC and NADD are 2645," Halifa said.
"This, to me, is the puzzle, and unless voter apathy is addressed, the opposition does not hope to win an election against the incumbent.
"And how to address the voter apathy is the challenge. The opposition forces could try to come out with a programme to address the voter apathy."
Also speaking to The Point in a telephone interview last evening, Kolly Bah, APRC constituency Chairman for Wuli West, said: "We have defeated them; NADD is dead in Wuli West."
Meanwhile, efforts to talk to Alkali Kebbeh, the duly elected ward councilor of Sare Ngai ward proved futile due to the magnitude of the crowd around him.
Author: Soury Camara in Basse
Source: Picture: Alkali Kebbeh
Culled from thepoint
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I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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Moe
USA
2326 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 00:40:15
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| Nyari why did the UDP not contest the elections?. I have no understanding of why NADD was the only party that contested the by elections am I missing something here? |
I am Jebel Musa better yet rock of Gibraltar,either or,still a stronghold and a Pillar commanding direction
The GPU wants Me Hunted Down for what I don't know ..... |
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Kitabul Arerr
Gambia
645 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 01:58:04
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Strange, very strange!
Out of 6474 Registered voters,
28% voted APRC
13% voted NADD
59% No-Show (Closet UDPs ???).................................................lol!
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The New Gambia - Stronger Together! |
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Momodou
Denmark
11633 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 09:10:47
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SARE NGAI BY ELECTION RESULT
6474 Registered voters
2645 Voted
3802 did not vote
APRC 1817
NADD 827
Invalid vote 1
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 11:54:21
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| There is no opposition that can be effective at the moment such opposition parties as there are are fragmented and show no signs of changing in the near future, my opinion still remains that its all about personal power and has nothing to do with improving the lives of the average Gambian, all the speeches and articles that I have read by the opposition none has policies in place that would benefit the electorate. Therefore it follows that unless the people are given some alternative to the ruling party that they think is better,why should they vote at all? the published figures speak for themselves 3802 people did not vote out of a total of 6474 |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Senegambia
175 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 12:46:12
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There is no doubt that it is a problem for our fragile and incomplete democracy that more than half the electorates chose to sit at home and not vote. Theories are that there are no better alternatives to APRC but this conclusion is rather a simple one to draw. We have to know where those who did not vote are during elections; is it that they have moved to cities across and even out of the country; is it possible for them to vote from those places; are there other reasons why they chose not to vote; and many more questions..
More so, the sooner the opposition unites the better. Who knows they could have won this by-election and thereby send the right waves across the country.
Toubab, why such an opinion when atleast Darboe and Sallah have both been elected by members of their parties to lead them? What would make you say that they are not up for improving the lives of average Gambians but themselves? I demand, and I am waiting for an answer from you. I take these allegations of yours very seriously and hope you have good reasons for such utterance.
quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
..... my opinion still remains that its all about personal power and has nothing to do with improving the lives of the average Gambian, all the speeches and articles that I have read by the opposition none has policies in place that would benefit the electorate.....
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Tesito
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 13:18:53
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"I take these allegations of yours very seriously and hope you have good reasons for such utterance."
I have alleged nothing, I have given my opinion,which are my thoughts.
Thanks for your reply, I am only able to comment on the reports in the press and online newspapers,it is true that non voters could have moved or be elswhere and have not voted for that reason,due to the large numbers of non voters it APPEARS that apathy is the problem.
Sallah and Darbo have been elected by their parties no doubt and as such they have the power of those parties given to them,the fact remains that after loads and loads of talking both have failed to come up with a united opposition to the APRC,why ? because in order to present a united and unfragmented opposition there can be only one leader,in other words one man has all the power , as this hurdle remains unresolved the a united opposition cannot exist.
I have not seen polices that state what improvements the opposition parties would give to the average Gambian, in terms of for instance ,health,Education, better drinking water facilities,If they would be in favour of locally generated electricity that could be sold back to NAWEC,things such as these,all that is talked about is leadership and not, so far as I can see, what such leadership can try to give to the average Gambian. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 30 Oct 2010 15:01:07 |
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Senegambia
175 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 15:03:22
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I am also frustrated as to why the oppositions are not working on one platform already and I hope this is done asap. To be fair, I think you have a valid point regarding this failure on their side. However, not haven seen "polices that state what improvements the opposition parties would give to the average Gambian, in terms of for instance ,health,Education, better drinking water facilities,If they would be in favour of locally generated electricity that could be sold back to NAWEC,things such as these," does not mean they don't exist. Certainly, that cannot mean that they are not out to help the average gambian.
'Responsible and accountable governmen' is something I often hear the opposition leaders say and to me that is what Gambia needs most and only that can deal with the concerns you raised.
I am waiting for someone to help answer Moe's question. Who knows why UDP, NRP,etc did not contest that election?
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Tesito
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Edited by - Senegambia on 30 Oct 2010 15:04:52 |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 16:43:23
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I put these improvements in services and lifestyle comfort to demonstrate examples of promises that an unfragmented opposition could offer,not specifying anything more than that, your rejoiner of : " does not mean they don't exist. Certainly, that cannot mean that they are not out to help the average gambian." If such "political promises" (policies !) were to be made, then that would perhaps convince the electorate that they might like a change."I strongly dislike politics" but constructive ideas are missing from the opposition parties,and that is why I made my posting.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 16:48:57
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Sare Ngai Ward is in Wuli West, a NADD stronghold constituency. 2645 people voted in this bye-election and NADD had less than 1000 votes. That is not me saying 'utter defeat' but the statistics.
Regards |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2010 : 13:37:14
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6474 Registered voters
2645 Voted
3802 did not vote
APRC 1817
NADD 827
% 68 voted for government
% 32 voted for opposition.
If you consider this to be a 'poll', the current political power balance has not changed much favoring opposition. That means it is unlikely the current regime will lose power.
The people who did not vote would most likely vote for the government. I believe if there are indications that opposition is less likely to win, undecided voters would vote for government! |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 31 Oct 2010 13:39:14 |
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Kitabul Arerr
Gambia
645 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2010 : 14:04:29
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Nice try, turk..........................................................lol!
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The New Gambia - Stronger Together! |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2010 : 15:10:24
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It is nice try! It is the state of the current political situation. If there was a decrease in government support, it would have been reflected in this by-election. There are no indications that the support for ruling party is decreasing. Especially in rural area. The support for opposition is higher only in urban area where the population of educated elite higher than rural area. What is likely scenario of these undecided voters not to vote for the Government? Opposition parties are not capable of attracting voters with ideas which do not exist. The voters would not want to be in losing side as that is going to impact their life as Jammeh already indicated that if people do not vote for him, do not expect any service. Since last May, if there was a dramatic change, I still believe that Gambians offer their overwhelming support for the president of the Gambia and his party. Looking forward to hearing your response!
People vote for the services. It is more likely Jammeh is going to vote. Social-Psychology in politics, voters would not be in losing side. It might be human rights issue would motivate more educated, elite voters and diaspora which is free of survival concerns, but average undecided voters in Gambia most likely vote for the ruling party that has more chance to win. They would not be willing to take the risk of being punished by the government for not supporting the government. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 31 Oct 2010 15:19:33 |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2010 : 17:18:41
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This is according to Halifa Sallah and therefore should be taken with caution as it is not the official version.
Regards |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 31 Oct 2010 17:19:50 |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2010 : 17:35:23
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That's much better turk,YOUR opinon  and suggestions,  NO conflict, just joining a discussion, thanks.
quote:
Originally posted by turk
It is nice try! It is the state of the current political situation. If there was a decrease in government support,
government.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2010 : 17:37:49
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Point taken, can you supply the OFFICIAL figures that you write about please ?
quote:
Originally posted by Nyarikangbanna
This is according to Halifa Sallah and therefore should be taken with caution as it is not the official version.
Regards
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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