By Yunus S Saliu
A coalition of seven diverse organizations called the Election Watch Committee (EWC) on Saturday, 6th July 2024 released its position paper on Election Bill 2021 to the general public at a press conference held at the Peace Ambassador office in Kanifing Municipality.
The Election Watch Committee is a coalition made up of seven competent organizations which comprise Peace Ambassadors – The Gambia (PAG), Activista, National Youth Parliament (NYP), Think Young Women (TYW), Beakanyang, Peace Hub – The Gambia (PHTG), and The Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) and they are dedicated to monitoring the electoral processes within The Gambia.
In the position paper, eight concerns were raised with recommendations to the eight concerns which included the appointment of Chief Electoral Officer, qualifications for the position of electoral officer/chief electoral officer/commissioner, qualification for registration as a voter, disqualification from registration as a voter, return and forfeiture of deposit, special dispensation for voters on election duty, ballot tokens, and participation of political parties in elections.
Addressing press members, Momodou Juju Jallow, Program Manager for EWC emphasized that the coalition aims to contribute to election integrity, accountability, transparency, and impartiality.
According to him, the purpose of the position paper is to provide information and guidance to the National Assembly and facilitate the improvement of electoral reforms in The Gambia, “In addition, this paper provides background information on why The Gambia needs electoral reform, and how this could be achieved.”
However, with their recommendations for each concern, the EWC called on the National Assembly of The Gambia to ensure a thorough debate of the Bill and consider the potential of damage having a law that does not promote free and fair elections.
“Save our democratic gains, and strengthen the conduct of free and fair elections by promulgating laws based on the values and principle of democracy, as enshrined in the African Charter on Democracy Election and Governance (ACDEG),” EWC urged the National Assembly.
Furthermore, the report, stated that transitional justice is not all about the truth commission, however, it is about reform “in our institutions, and the legal framework guiding how we do things as country, bring the never again slogan into existence, the Truth Commission’s work needs to be complemented by legal reforms necessary to shape the democratic culture of our country. That responsibility is placed in you, our honorable National Assembly Members.”