By Binta Jaiteh
A heated debate sparked among Gambians on if the IEC should introduce marble or paper balloting system as the Commission has decided to introduce paper balloting ahead of 2021 presidential polls.
Ismaila Sonko, a concern citizen said: “it is better to maintain the marble balloting system that we have been using instead of paper balloting.”
He said changing the balloting system to paper will bring confusion because majority of the electorates don’t understand paper balloting.
“The Illiteracy rate in The Gambia is very high. In order to sensitize the citizens about the steps involve in paper balloting involves a lot of time and it should have been done since. Now an election is fast approaching [and] things cannot be done in haste, it needs enough time,” he said.
According to him, given the nature of the upcoming presidential elections which would involve lots of political parties, it will not be ideal to introduce paper balloting system now. This is because electorates should be sensitized about paper balloting.
Mr Sonko said: ‘’Let us not be little ourselves just because the Europeans countries are adopting the system does not mean we should do the same. Another man’s food is another man’s poison.’’
