By: NyimaSillah
The Gambia-based Peace Ambassadors has expressed concern over growing hate speech among political opponents and disinformation ahead of December 4th election, as the group promoting peace education and advocacy published its reports on the concluded voter’s cards registrations.
Speaking at a news conference held at Metsy Hotel, Kotu, the group’s president, Babucarr Sambou said: “What is worrying is the trend for hate speech intimidation of political opponent, disinformation and perhaps misinformation.”
Meanwhile, he said PAG findings showed that a lot of registrants did not understand the importance of this process.
“And as a result, most of the displayed papers were torn apart in many centers such as Odena Cinema, Lasso wharf market and some centers in Farafenni, Basse. Adding that many registrants also claimed they were not aware of the process due to lack of information,” he added
According to him, from their observation and findings, indigenes of some communities were publicly speaking on the process and publishing their intent to object to some names on the list, who they suspected were none Gambians.
“Display and appeals period is an important phase of the electoral cycle in ensuring electoral integrity and there was limited citizens’ participation in the process,” he said.
He also blamed the political parties for flouting coronavirus rules amid of the pandemic which has spike case. “PAG observed that despite the fact that Covid-19 is on the rise on a daily basis, almost all the political parties in the country are gathering thousands of their militants in their political activities in different regions of the country, and most of these gatherings don’t implement covid -19 guidelines. However, PAG also observed that the political environment that it has been heated up by political actors who have been trading accusations and counter accusations, typical in any electoral contest,” he continued.
This was the key recommendation from PAG final report on the voter Registration observation, he said.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) within two months has successfully registered 962,157 voters, manage the display and appeals period.