By Arfang M.S. Camara
The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) Electoral Committee has announced that nominations for the upcoming football elective congress start on Thursday 21st July 2022 at 9am but yet to announce a date for election.
This announcement was made by the vice chairman of the GFF Electoral Committee, Saikou B. Jarju, on Thursday, during a media briefing held at the Football House in Kanifing.
“Nominations papers can be collected every day from the General Secretary during working hours. Closing of nominations is Thursday 28th July 2022 at 4pm prompt with such nomination papers to be submitted accordingly to the General Secretary GFF,” he further said.
He added that the Electoral committee will announce the list of qualified candidates in line with Article 12.1 of the Electoral Code on Thursday 4th August 2022, noting that this gives candidates time if they wish to appeal the decision of the Electoral Committee.
“The final list of qualified candidates will be published on Saturday 13th August 2022. The election date is set for Saturday 27 August 2022 commencing 10am prompt.”
He noted that the venue for the election will be decided later and will inform the public accordingly.
Election process
Mr. Jarju stated that nomination papers can be collected daily from the GFF General Secretary during working hours, adding that if a candidate collects nomination papers, he or she will be issued a receipt of that effect.
“If the candidate submits nomination papers, he or she will be issued another receipt to that effect. Each candidate must sign a declaration form to abide by the electoral code and the provision relating to the election.”
He continued “After the nomination of candidates, the electoral committee will publish the final list of qualified candidates fourteen days before the election. Those who want to contest for the election are advised to acquaint themselves with the GFF constitution, the GFF Electoral Code and the FIFA Code of Ethics.”
According to him, all candidates will be subjected to undergo identification and eligibility checks by submitting a copy of their current valid passport to the Electoral Committee and to provide such details as prescribed on Annex 1.2 of the Electoral Code.
He revealed that every candidate will complete an eligibility questionnaire for which the candidate will be obliged to comply with a screening and self-disclosure process as prescribed on Annex 1 point 3 to 7 of the Electoral Code.
“On record, there is no single registered candidate and we have not received any nomination of a candidate yet and so we don’t want to pre-empt a situation that we have no evidence of.”