Barrister Assan Martins, a renowned lawyer and leading human rights activist in The Gambia has sent strong words to Gambia’s security officers advising them to remain neutral and avoid engaging in partisan politics.
Lieutenant General Yakuba A. Drammeh, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF)
“Security officers should remain neutral they are not here for any political parties. They should be here for all Gambian people and any law enforcement official or security outfit should know that this is a democratic process and they should remain neutral and impartial,” Lawyer Martins warned in an interview with The Voice.
Gambia Inspector General Of Police (IGP) Mr. Abdoulie Sanyang.
According to him, security officers are not expected to take side with any political party during the election festive, noting that the warning should be heeded by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), all director generals of security sector and to the army Chief of Defense Staff (CDS).
Gambia Immigration Department, Mr Seedy Touray
Lawyer Martin pointed out that the incumbent president is just like any other political players in the field, arguing that security officers should not be intimidated nor lure to support either the incumbent or other political parties.
“We are calling on all heads of department of the securities to make sure that they remain neutral and impartial. The Immigration officers too should not allowed issuing any ID card or document to anyone on the pretext that they will convince them to support a political party,” Barrister Martins further warned.
Ousman Sowe, SIS Director
He also denounced the Independent Electoral Commission for failing in its duty by not sensitize Gambians on the voter registration exercise.
Lawyer Martin also slammed the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), saying the institution was highly expected to support the IEC in voter registration sensitization process instead remains dormant.
Ansumana Manneh, Director General Of Gambia Prisons Services
He described the entire voter registration process as challenging and satisfactory, adding IEC should consider extending the voter registration for a week or so in order to meet the one million benchmark set for the exercise.
He finally called on all political parties and their militants to exercise patience tolerance in the national quest for a free, fair and peaceful election.
