By Adama Makasuba
Stakeholders including Civil Society Organisations gathered at the International Conference Centre on Tuesday, to hold talks on the draft constitution in a bid to resurrecting the national document.
The group gathering comes amid growing concerns over the draft constitution, which was last year rejected by members of the National Assembly, who accused the drafters of ‘biasness’ in the book.
Since then, more than two attempts had been made by the former Nigerian President Dr Goodluck Jonathan on the invitation of Gambian leader Adama Barrow to help broker consensus to ensure the draft constitution is passed, but all failed.
Meanwhile, speaking to The Voice reporter, the chairman of CSOs John Charles Njie, said the discussion is “around the new constitution, it is how we can begin to dialogue and move the process forward that’s why we are here? Just having a conversation as Gambians on what is the best way to have the draft constitution re-tabled.”
When asked whether the draft constitution can be passed before the December 4 election, he said “is not realistic to have it before the election [but] we are still looking at what the possibilities are to have a referendum on Election Day.”
“But that also is not written on stone, at least let’s discuss and keep the engagement going and chart way forward,” he added.
“Obviously, we would have loved to see it there because the term limit, the issue of 50+1, the quota system for women would have been taken care of. Let’s keep talking and what is realistically possible and we will engage with the political parties, we will engage with the government and see how to move slowly until we get what we want,” he said.
Meanwhile, he called for calm, order during the voter registration and urged anyone who feels dissatisfied about anything to take his or her matter to the revising courts.
