By: Nyima Sillah
Human Rights lawyer, Assan Martin, has called the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to intervene in attestation saga between Mayor of Banjul and some Banjulians.
Lawyer Martin made this call following the Banjulians protest against Mayor Rohey Lowe for issuing attestation to people who wanted to register for the voter’s card. The group which called themselves Concern Banjulians accused the Mayor for issuing attestation to non-Banjulians.
Speaking to The Voice exclusively, the human rights lawyer, said: “the best thing IEC can do is to make their findings against the Mayor. If they sense there is an element of bias or unfairness, then IEC that gave the authority to the Mayor to do attestation, the same IEC can withdraw the authority against the Mayor.”
“IEC again should put in a mechanism to control the Mayor and that mechanism could be appoint two to three elders who are independent elders of Banjul to walk alongside the Mayor to sort out this problem because it cannot continue as this,” he added.
He bemoaned that it is now unsafe to leave the next 30 days or 40 days in the hands of the Mayor because allegations have come out and the players have raised their concern.
The lawyer expressed further that “the best thing is that if she (Mayor) could have recused herself fine if she cannot recuse herself, the IEC itself can appoint a three-man committee to work with the mayor. It is a strong language that the IEC is failing the Gambia people they should step in and take a proper check within the next three days. It is very important for the political parties and everybody to come and take a stand because we are looking at a fair and transparent registration where whole Gambians can be enfranchising.”
“We recommend that anyone who comes for attestation, even though they have their own voters’ card they can come with that just to guide the mayor or the committee because attestation alone cannot be sufficient,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said, the protesters have the rights to protest while IEC should come in immediately and address Gambians who are looking forward to the IEC chairman making a statement at least a written statement in other to clear doubts of the people.