By Mariama Njie
Alliance for National Reorientation and Development (ANRD) party has urged the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to withdraw all party militants from the registration centres and use the inter party committee to observe the voter registration process.
General Lamin Bojang, ANRD party leader said in a statement shared with this medium that “It is clear to all stakeholders in the election and the registration processes organized by IEC is marred with lots of controversies hence increasing the fear and uncertainties regarding the election 2021.”
He said that the way things are being done now can cause election conflicts and add to the fragility of already disintegrated society.
“The way Gambians are been harassing and intimidate at the registration centres, the presence and involvement of party supporters directly in the registration processes and the partisan manner the local authorities are the handling verification, the inadequate registration centres are few of the great concerns. This shows that IEC exhibiting again incompetence in coordinating the voter registration,” he added.
Meanwhile Bojang said they have informed IEC that elections in Africa are always controversial and deadly in most instances, therefore the professional handling of 2021 election in The Gambia must be managed carefully to prevent shaming the country.
IEC remains lip tight on serious issues like why there are few registration centres and the direct involvement of party militants in the registration process, he added.
He sincerely said that Gambians must not be harassed or intimidated at any point in the conduct of 2021 election. Stressing that, “custodian who should ensure a workable just, hinge free and peaceful election 2021, so far does not show that assurance.”