By Arfang M.S. Camara
The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) Electoral Committee has assured the general public to conduct free and fair elections during the upcoming elective congress slated for August 2022.
The vice chairman of the GFF Electoral Committee, Saikou B. Jarju was speaking during a press conference regarding the issues about the upcoming elective congress held at the Football House in Kanifing on Thursday.
Chairman Jarju made this statement while responding to a letter of complaint from Mr. Sadibou Kamaso an aspiring candidate on 27 June, asking for the General Secretary of the GFF Mr. Lamin Jassey to recuse or excuse himself from the electoral committee in the interest of fair play because he was alleged to have been involved in a political campaign in favor of the incumbent.
“Whilst we noted his concern and replied to his letter accordingly, we want to assure the general public that God willing the Electoral Committee will conduct the election with all fairness and without any undue influence or interference from either party,” said the vice chairman of the GFF electoral committee.
He added that it is in their best interest to protect their integrity moving forward adding that they will do everything possible to stand by that trust.
“The Secretary General in the Electoral Committee was sanctioned by the General Assembly in the 2018 AGM. So his presence in our midst is merely to facilitate certain administrative matters on a consultative basis as may be required and not otherwise.”
The Electoral Committee is headed by Lamin Sanneh, a former a seasoned sports official and governor of West Coast who is now Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Environment.
The committee also comprises Saikou B Jarjue the president of the National Inter-departmental sports Association NISA as vice president while Aboulie Jallow formerly of the GNOC, Karalang Jatta and Haddy Silla are members.
In accordance with the rules, the General Secretary the GFF, in this case Lamin Jassey, should serve as secretary to the committee.