Judging from the figures of both 2001 and 2006 gathered from the IEC and Statehouse web page , it is my opinion that currently, neither the APRC nor the opposition are popular alternatives for the Gambian registered voters if analysis are to based on the total number of electorates i.e 670,336 in 2006 versus 450,706 in 2001. In 2001, almost 90 percent( 89.71 ) of the total registered voters turned out to vote leaving almost 11 percent(10. 29) of registered voters not voting. In 2006, 58 percent( 58.4 ) of the total registered voters turned out to vote leaving almost 42 percent (41.46) of registered voters not voting. Based on these numbers (the total number of electorates), rather than the 52.6 percent reflected on the 2001 figures, all the APRC had was 47.33 in 2001 i.e Actual APRC votes 213,337 divided by total registered electorates 450,706. This in my opinion gives a much broader insight of the reality and vulnerability of the current regime. However, in 2006 one can clearly see that APRC’s percentage of voters has dropped by almost 8 percent to 39.44 percent of the total registered voters i.e cctual APRC votes 264,404 divided by total registered electorates 670,336. Similarly, based on .the total number of electorates rather than the 47.4 percent reflected on the 2001 figures, all the opposition had was 42.38 i.e actual Opposition votes 191,006 divided by total registered electorates 450,706. However, in 2006 one can also clearly see that the opposition suffered the biggest voter apathy ever, dropping by 23.28 percent managing to hold on to a mere 19.10 percent of the total registered voters i.e actual combined Opposition votes 128,034 divided by total registered electorates 670,336. In 2006 , one can clearly see that APRC percentage of voters has dropped by almost 8 percent, and the opposition dropped by 24 percent from 47.8 percent to 19 percent compared to 2001 ,thus signaling a downward spiral in both camps. Again, please note that together all the APRC and opposition had is 39.44 (APRC) and 19.10 (Opposition) percent of the total registered voters respectively, which clearly indicates a minority status for both camps in the big scheme of things. This in my opinion echoes the dissatisfaction of many voters and lack of mass appeal for the current opposition parties, despite the guaranteed victory speeches made by Hamat Bah in Atlanta, although some who attended the meeting with myself included made it clear to him that the 2006 elections was a foregone conclusion and a guaranteed APRC victory for his confidence reflected nothing but a mere act of “ building castles in the air”. I must also add that the same rhetorical speech was made by Ousainou Darboe who happened to have sat on the same chair declaring his allegiance to the NADD MOU which he subsequently abandoned. Could it therefore perhaps be a signal for a viable alternative with a new and rejuvenated opposition front led by a much more dynamic candidate than the same old UDP, NRP, and NADD leaders, coupled with a candid effort to try getting the bigger portion of the 42 percent of registered voters who stayed home? Or would they continue accusing the APRC of buying voter cards, election fraud, importing foreign voters and Jammeh Marabouts, who in all candidness simply sat aside and watch the opposition destroy itself with it’s unreasonable zeal for power struggle? Better yet, is this not what we call in America “You snooze, you loose” ? For all we know, someone once called the APRC(Aimless People Running our Country), but ended being coerced to share the same bed with what he’d for years called the devil. We must take this as caution indicative of Sheriff Dibba’s move after 2001 elections. Is it time for a new breed - and I quote Darboe in Atlanta 2006 “ We need Salable candidates” to the Gambian electorates, perhaps meaning that it is time for them take the back sit? For the APRC, could it also mean that for Jammeh and APRC to hold on to power, they must reach out and find a way to bring the country together with a much more democratic, gentler , kinder, more tolerant and forgiving third term with fewer detentions, media tolerance i.e regular press conferences with no implications to journalists and less interference with the judiciary among a pile of recent injustices? Should he Jammeh equally strive for the bigger portion of the 42 percent of registered voters who stayed home to stay in power? In my opinion, the answer to all these questions for both camps is a resounding “Yes”. It is also my contention that a clear indication and perhaps icing on the cake will be the APRC’s guaranteed victory of the upcoming parliamentary elections considering the current opposition disintegration led by power hungry politicians who might even turn out to be worse than the APRC if ever given the chance to lead. Perhaps this is also a signal to fill a vacuum in the political system with a kinder and gentler independent movement whose vision and objective will not only be to unite the country regardless of party affiliation with sincere willingness to forgive, but bold enough to replace the current opposition front with a younger generation of politicians adequately financed, equally or more charismatic than Jammeh. With all fairness, the APRC under Jammeh is what’s happening in The Gambia at least from the standpoint of those who went out and voted. Perhaps this is also an opportunity for the APRC to re-organize and take an honest , sincere and in-depth look at its present setting. This must include the engagement and campagne within the Gambian diaspora with Jammeh himself making it a point to attend diaspora gatherings like the July Fourth in Atlanta, Carnival in London and Scandanavea with the ultimate goal of engaging Gambians in progressive dialogue and support for his government. Otherwise, sooner or later pressures from the international community will require unconditional accord of Absentee votes (the right to vote away from home) which under the present status is not in his favor, although 5 years is enough time to convince some in the diaspora. This must be done without relying on opportunistic, Pseudo, insincere APRC Chapters like the Atlanta ,DC and other branches within diaspora whose main motivation is to exploit the monetary gains of the APRC and perhaps employment opportunities in the Gambia without the ability to attract not even 50 attendees to APRC rallies in Atlanta. It should be recognized as a signal to understand that even though, they might have gained the majority of those who went and vote this time around, it might as a well be seen as the beginning of an end considering the 42 percent of potential voters in whose hands their political hegemony lies. If the current voter profile remains the same in the Gambia , both the APRC and the current opposition parties can be rest assured and not surprised that some day the deciding 42 percent will be the main factor in clinging on the power as this silent majority yearns for hope, fairness, justice, a leveled playing field and ultimately inevitable out of country vote (Absentee Vote) for the diaspora. Until then , I will forever be willing to accept my dear friends Musa Jeng’s(STGDP) and Kebba Foon’s(STGDP), Abdoulie Sosseh’s (APRC-Atlanta), Serigne Nyang’s (APRC-Atlanta) assertion of Ablie Njie Lekbi Chi Birr Atlanta being a fence sitter. ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤