By: Nyima Sillah
Alieu Momodou Njie, the electoral umpire has called on the nation’s youth to participate in the electoral process.
He was speaking at a ceremony dubbed National Youth Dialogue on Peaceful Campaigning and Elections held at the Metzy Residence Hotel, Kololi.
“The commission is pleased to note that the political parties work amicably through the inter-party committee (IPC). This committee has an MOU that aim to foster peaceful co-existence among parties, therefore in as much as they encouraging and calling on youths to participate in the electoral process, youths have to be engaged positively,” he said.
He added: “They have to take the key positions in the political parties and civil society all and have to be open and constant dialogue with the youths and sharing of vital information with them should be a priority.”
He said with proper maintenance of peace and tolerance in the electoral process, youths are not to be used as political thugs. Instead, they have to be the voice of the voiceless and be an instrument of peace.
“If the election goes well the country can continue towards democracy, peace and development but if the election goes badly, it can undermine democracy and turn the country toward conflicts and bad governance,” Mr Njie said.
He said there must be free speech so that all citizens, political parties and candidates can speak without fear or intimidation, adding that media must be free to tell everyone what was said without pressure to twist the truth because that is the job of a professional journalist.
“Elections must be fair there must be rules to ensure every citizen has a secret vote. All candidates must have equal rights and opportunities to campaign without interference. The rules must be enforced fairly and everyone must respect the result of the vote”
He then assured that IEC will continue to make all efforts to build on the gains made in the past in order to establish a sound and enduring democratic culture based on the right of the citizenry to participate in the development of the country, he said.
