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Subject:	EDITORIAL FROM THE POINT NEWSPAPER
From:	Sanusi Owens <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:	The Gambia and related-issues mailing list <[log in to unmask]>
Date:	Wed, 5 Oct 2005 16:29:48 +0100
Content-Type:	text/plain
Parts/Attachments:	text/plain (75 lines)

Editorial
Some Lessons From The Bye Elections
Wednesday 5th October 2005

Despite all the acrimony and allegations of illegal transfers of voters cards made by the NADD against the IEC as well as the numerous other complaints, the bye elections passed off quite peacefully without any major incident. This has once again confirmed the peaceful nature of Gambians.

However, everyone must have no doubt learnt a lesson or two from what transpired. The IEC for instance must have learnt that it is not only important to do everything in accordance with the electoral laws, but also in a more transparent manner.

Those secretaries of state and other government functionaries who traversed the whole country making all kinds of promises as well as threats to those areas that failed to vote for the APRC must have also realized that the people no longer take most of what they say quite seriously. Can you imagine one of them using the possible release of Baba Jobe as a bargaining chip for the people of Jarra West if they voted for the APRC? That was certainly the meanest form of political gimmickry anyone would ever imagine from a seasoned politician in this country.

Another disturbing aspect of the campaign was the negative role alleged to have been played by some of the divisional commissioners. They were said to have not only been using government resources to campaign on behalf of the APRC, but they were also said to be using their offices to harass and intimidate opposition supporters. For instance, the commissioners of the CRD and the URD, M. S. Njie and Omar Khan respectively,were said to have unceremoniously removed several alkalolu they suspected of sympathizing with the opposition.

This type of action has no doubt brought disrepute to the office of the commissioner and it is also likely to bring them some scorn and disrespect from the general public. This is because the divisional commissioner has always been seen as a respectable senior civil servant who is expected to be above party politics. However, with the present comportment of some of the commissioners, most of the people now consider them as mere APRC campaign agents rather than the respectable administrators they used to be in the past.

“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time; but you cannot fool all the people all the time”

Abraham Lincoln

jawo abdoulie <[log in to unmask]> wrote:Yes, indeed what a good start for Mr Mbye to address the needs and aspirations of the people. Being enthrusted with a task, you are YET TO DO ANTHING about that task, and yet you are celebrating!! Hmmm - The APRC's wastefulness is on the historical record already.

Abdoulie Jawo

Ebou Jallow
wrote:
Written by Alhagie Jobe - ObserverWednesday, 05 October 2005 Sainey Mbye of Upper Saloum, Halifa Sallah of Serrekunda Central and Kemeseng Jammeh of Jarra West on Monday took their oaths of office at the National Assembly. But Sidia Jatta of Wuli West was absent.
The trio were among the four successful candidates in the September 29 by-elections.
Subscribing to the oath, all three NAMs pledged to fulfill their statutory duties and obligations in good faith and without fear or favour.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Sainey Mbye, the newly elected APRC NAM for Upper Saloum was escorted by his APRC colleagues and hundreds of supporters to State House where a banquet was organised in honour of his victory over Hamat Bah, a leading opposition figure.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 05 October 2005 )

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