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toubab1020
12237 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Apr 2021 : 17:31:29
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https://foroyaa.net/national-assembly-joint-committee-engages-iec-on-election-bill/
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National Assembly Joint Committee Engages IEC on Election Bill
Foroyaa: April 21, 2021
By: Kebba AF Touray
The national assembly joint committee on Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and Human Rights and Constitutional Matters has engaged the country’s election body (IEC) on the Election Bill 2021.
The engagement was meant to seek the pulse of the Independent Electoral Commission.
Chairman of the IEC, Alieu Momar Njai, expressed utmost gratitude and appreciation to the National Assembly, especially the joint committee for the interactive session that availed them the unique opportunity to express their views on the election bill.
Njai told the joint committee that the country’s election system is worth emulation by other nations. He said election starts with voting, which is guaranteed with the acquisition of a voter’s card, saying the cards are issued transparently and are free of charge.
“In each registration center, we post list of the registered voters therein and have a period of thirty days to make their complaints when necessary. Those without ID cards, passport and birth certificate are allowed to be given an attestation by the chief or Alkalo,” he said.
Chairman Njai called for strict observance of due process, which is a guiding tool that should be followed during election activities as enshrined in the Election Act.
Pa Makang Khan, speaking on behalf of the Chief Electoral Officer, said after a vigorous review of the bill, they have observed issues such as the life span of the voter’s card, which he said was previously valid for a period of ten years.
He said they however thought it prudent to include a clause, which will extend the life span of the register, in the event they have emergencies and difficulties in conducting a new voter registration. Thus, he said they have recommended for it be amended in the bill.
Khan said in respect of nomination, the initial expectation was that the IEC would change the voting method from marbles to ballot papers. But he said the marble system of voting will be maintained as a result of the period of nomination, which would also be changed from months to weeks.
He also said there will be slight shift of time on the period for petitions and objections made during the nomination process, during which aspirants or candidates can withdraw or contest issues that affect them during the process.
“The current Election Act provides for the people to be registered in the constituencies. These are some of the challenges that we faced as we were trying to register the diaspora Gambians. They must be registered within a constituency, but it was thought prudent to pave way for them to register in any electoral division,” he said.
Khan said the bill also provides for executive members of political parties living outside to come back and participate in elections as opposed to the provisions of the current constitution which requires political party executive members to be residents in the country.
He said the provision of the bill for referendum to be passed through simple majority is not in line with the constitution.
Amul Nyassi, Co-Chairperson of the joint committee, said the bill was moved by the Justice Minister and it has gone through stages at the Assembly and was subsequently referred to the said joint committee for scrutiny, consideration and for them to report their findings back to the plenary.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12237 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2021 : 13:36:19
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https://www.chronicle.gm/iec-in-starting-box-as-2021-presidential-election-approaches/
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IEC In Starting Box As 2021 Presidential Election Approaches
The Chronicle: Apr 24, 2021
BY Kaddy Jawo
As the December 2021 presidential election approaches, The Gambia Independent Electoral Commission is busy putting the final touches ahead of what is believed to be the most highly contested election in the history of The Gambia’s post-dictatorship era.
The IEC has already announced the dates for the voter registration campaign. The registration will start from 29th May to 11th July 2021. This year, more than one Million Gambians will vote compared to the 2016 presidential election, where less than 600,000 voted.
As part of its preparation, the Commission has started recruiting qualified Gambians for various positions to help the Commission implement its policy and directives.
The Commission has also mentioned that the diaspora Gambians will be registered to vote for the first time in Gambia’s political history. But sceptics like Madi Ceesay, the National Assembly Member for Serrekunda West, told the Brunch on Kerr Fatou that “I can tell you that this government is not serious in diaspora voting.”
On Monday 26th April 2021, the Commission will conduct interviews for shortlisted candidates for General Registration of Voters 2021. The Commission will test the candidates on their computer skills abilities.
In February, the IEC chairman Alieu Momarr Njai told the chronicle that the IEC would register the diaspora to vote. “It is their constitutional right to participate in elections,” he said.
The National Assembly Member for Banjul South, Touma Ousainou Njai, also said that “Every citizen of the Gambia being of eighteen years old, and sound-minded, shall have the right to vote for the election of a president.” She also said, “Members of the National Assembly, and shall be entitled to be registered as a voter.”
While some people continue to float the idea of updating the voter registration only every decade, Hon, Njai said, “if the registration is every ten years, qualified citizens with the right to vote and be voted for could be denied their right to vote even if they turn eighteen.”
Hopes that the draft constitution would improve the existing legislation and rules got dashed away when parliaments rejected the constitution bill last year. Efforts to rewrite a level playing text for free and fair elections are yet to materialize through the Election Bill currently lingering at the National Assembly.
Attorney General Dawda Jallow tabled it after consultations with President Adama Barrow, his cabinet, and representatives of registered political parties |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11512 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2021 : 15:37:57
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Emmanuel Joof Calls for Inclusion of Second Round of Voting in Election Bill
Foroyaa: May 10, 2021
By: Kebba AF Touray
https://foroyaa.net/emmanuel-joof-calls-for-inclusion-of-second-round-of-voting-in-election-bill/
Mr Emmanuel Joof, the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has told the national assembly that the 50 plus one and second round of voting should be included in the Election Bill 2021.
Mr. Joof said this on Wednesday 5th May 2021, during their appearance before the joint committee on IEC, Human Rights and Constitutional Matters of the National Assembly, while expressing their views on the election Bill 2021. He said the bill talks about voting, deposits, thresholds and many things, but second round of voting for the presidency is not captured in the Bill.
“We looked at the Bill and second round of voting was stipulated in the constitution once upon a time, but it was easily removed. So, we thought that the 50 plus one should be included in the Election Bill 2021,” he said.
Joof also said they have observed clause 4 sub clause 2(G) of the Election Bill 2021, which relates to the powers and functions of the IEC. He said their concern is with the issue of issuing permit to the political parties for campaign, processions and rallies, as stated in section 25.
Joof said section 25 guarantees and talks about the right to freedom of assembly, including the right of political parties to hold rallies and subjecting the exercise of this right to the authority of permit. He said subjecting the exercise of this right to the authority of permit, may hinder its enjoyment. He said they are suggesting a law be put in place so that what will be required is notification regime in order to allow the state to facilitate the exercise of this right.
“The issue of notifying makes it easier rather than requesting, as one is begging even though it is a fundamental right. Let us look at the nomenclature and look at what happens in other countries and look at our advisory note. We should also change the nomenclature and make it in line with practices in those countries, for the issuing of permit to be based on notification,” he said.
Chairperson Joof said they have also scrutinized clause 140, which talks about results of the referendum as well as clause 141, which he said has no relevance.
Joof said clause 68, which talks about priority in voting, stated that in casting of votes, the Presiding officer shall give priority to persons with disability to be changed to persons with disabilities, as opposed to saying in sub clause (C) persons with disability. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12237 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2021 : 20:30:38
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Many good and valid points have been filtered out of the politicospeak as reported in the above post.
Well done Emmanuel Joof. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 10 May 2021 20:32:03 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11512 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2021 : 10:55:53
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Could The Second Round Of Voting Be Introduced In The Election Bill?
Foroyaa Editorial: May 10, 2021
https://foroyaa.net/could-the-second-round-of-voting-be-introduced-in-the-election-bill/
QUESTION OF THE DAY
It is important to emphasise that the provision of an Elections Act must not contradict the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 4. of the Constitution reads:
“This Constitution is the supreme law of The Gambia and any other law found to be inconsistent with any provision of this Constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.”
Section 48 of the constitution did provide for a second ballot if none of the Candidates had more than 50 percent of the votes cast. This was amended in 2003. The Constitution now reads:
“(3) No person shall be elected as President on a first ballot unless he or she receives the highest number of votes validly cast at that election.”
This is now the law. No provision in an Elections Bill can change it. It could only be changed through amendment of the Constitution. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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NA Joint Committee & IEC on Election Bill
