By Mama A. Touray
The coalition of People’s Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism, All People’s Party and Alhagi Mamadi Kurang Youth for Change will contest in the upcoming parliamentary election taking place in 2022.
Speaking at a press conference held at PDOIS Bureau on Monday, Honorable HalifaSallah, leader of PDOIS said “PDOIS and its partners, APP and Alagi Mamadi Kurang have so far identified forty-two constituencies indicated in the addendum to put up candidates in the forthcoming National Assembly elections.”
“We the undersigned representatives having regarded to section 96 of the constitution of the Republic of The Gambia which states: There shall be a general election of all the members of the National Assembly which shall be held four months after the date of the election of the office of the president, “he added.
According to him, taking note of section 88 of the constitution which provides for 53 elected members of the National Assembly from the constituencies and five members nominated by the president.
“Being fully conscious of the values expressed in section 112 of the constitution that “all members shall regard themselves as servants of the people of The Gambia, desist from any conduct by which they seek improperly to enrich themselves or alienate themselves from people, and shall discharge their duties and functions in the interest of the nation as a whole and in doing so, shall be influenced by the dictates of conscience and the national interest,” he stated.
He went on that PDOIS has four seats in the National Assembly which has been a symbol of consistency and sincerity in defending the national interest without regard to any partisan consideration. Maintaining those seats, he said it is reasonable and justifiable and requires the support of all partners, adding that decision in the National Assembly on ordinary motion depend on simple majority of votes cast when the Assembly is in session.
Therefore, “the three parties; PDOIS, APP, Alagi Mamadi Kurang Youth for Change agreed on supporting each other’s candidate relying on their own contest and enter into constructive conversation to settle all disputes where there is duplication of candidates. The agreement further contains Appointment of five mediators, two of whom should be male and female under-35 and one person with unique physical features to examine the merit of candidates and the decision of the mediation team on candidature will be final and would be endorsed by all parties and candidates in good faith,” he noted.