Comrades/Foroyaa:

I have read with amusement precise analytical
review of PDOIS's stand on the presidential
and parliamentary elections in The Gambia.  This
again shows simple description of facts for voters
that PDOIS is trying to educate is buried in
sentence structure and as such becomes difficult
for the intended voter to actually understand what
the heck thEsE intellectuals are talking about.  Please
simply give us directions from Banjul to Sera Kunda.
Don't tell us machinery or elements that we have to get
before taking off.

Mr. Sallah intimated at a meeting in Tobokoto that PDOIS
will not participate in future elections if Rev. Johnson
and Mr. Fatty are not reinstated.  The gentleman's
message to The Gambian people was precise to the point.
I am asking, why then do you have to go that far in
explaining a simple logic?

Having said that, I quote the following from Foroyaa:

"... Commission created a state of total paralysis, how can its
independence be safeguarded?

This is clear that if the executive can actually remove members of
the cohy PDOIS considers it a matter of principle to wait for the Supreme
Court decision on the removal of the two members of the IEC one of whom is
the chairman before working with the IEC.

The issue therefore is not whether PDOIS intends to
participate in elections or not. That is a foregone conclusion. As long as
we are convinced that the Gambian People can go in a voting booth and vote
in secret; as long as our polling agents can be present in every polling
station to monitor the exercise; as long as all the ballot boxes are opened
at the beginning to be checked and closed in front of our polling agent; as
long as those ballot boxes are at all times within the sight of our polling
and counting agent; as long as counting takes place in front of our counting
agent, PDOIS will participate in elections. Inducement and intimidation can
only work if the people are not properly sensitised and emboldened.

As long as there are rulers who see themselves as
monarchs instead of leaders who are mere public trustees and who should
perform their duties according prescribed laws, constitutional provisions,
which are designed to safeguard standards of governance and the integrity of
the sovereign people will always be encroached on.

The obstacle therefore at the moment is our
commitment not to compromise with the culture of impunity and the failure of
the Supreme Court to act with immediacy to redress such impunity.

If the Supreme Court acts with
speed to resolve the constitutional dilemma, there will no obstacles to
PDOIS's participation."

I am then of the opinion that PDOIS will not
participate in future elections if the Supreme
Court of The Gambia does not reinstate Rev. Johnson
and Mr. Fatty.  If this seems to be the case, then
our call for boycotting the presidential election,
in its infancy will pick momentum.  We are
convinced that the Supreme Court of The Gambia will
not reinstate Rev. Johnson and Mr. Fatty.  The sad
fact of the matter is that dictator jemus interpretes
constitutional law in The Gambia.

Naphiyo,

Comrae ML Jassey-Conteh

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