By Binta Jaiteh
The National Assembly Member (NAM) for Serrekunda West, Madi Ceesay, has expressed the optimism that franchise will be extended to eligible Gambians in the Diaspora for the next electoral cycle.
Hon. Ceesay said NAMs are currently scrutinizing the elections bill with the Assembly’s Joint Committee on Human Rights and Constitutional Matters and the Committee on Regional Government and Lands.
Speaking in an interview with The Voice on Tuesday, NAM Ceesay explained that the joint committee had an engagement with representatives of the Diaspora community and that the committee had taken their concerns on board.
“I can assure you, as far as the Parliament is concerned,the Diaspora will vote in the next elections,” he added.
The SK NAM pointed out that eligible Gambians in the Diaspora have a constitutionally-guaranteed right to vote and that their right should not be usurped.
“All we need is the enactment (of the bill) so that it can be in the laws of the Gambia,” he added.
He hinted that Diaspora participation in the electionscould herald a seismic development not only in the presidential election but in all elections, considering the number of citizens, who are currently living out of the confines of the country.
“It will have an impact not only on presidential elections but on all elections as hundreds of people are accommodated there,” Ceesay emphasized.
He stressed the importance of Diaspora contribution to the GDP, saying remittances are only second to tourism when it comes to GDP contribution.
The UDP legislator said the two committees of the Assembly will ensure that the bill is completed to enable them(committees) present a report before the plenary for endorsement. He added that once the report is laid before the plenary, it will proceed to the normal stages to finally become a law.
