Hi!
     Various opinions have been raised regarding the results of the by-elections in The Gambia. As is evident, an election is a process, which in the final analysis brings about a winner and a loser. The creation of a winner and a loser also brings about varied reactions from those with stakes in the results. As Gambians, all of us are concerned about the results of the elections but I also think that we should think with our brains and not our hearts. As wisely counselled by Saiks, we should analyse the results and the factors behind them and prepare ourselves for a better challenge come October. In this vein, I shall attempt to throw a few bututs down this road.

            The first issue and probably one that would send some reaching for aspirin bottles and others suffering minor and major heart attacks is: is it possible that the APRC won in Kiang because they campaigned more vigorously or more effectively than the UDP? Is it possible that their campaign appealed to more people? If this is the case, then what was the strategy? What was the UDP campaign premised upon that rendered it ineffective enough to result in a loss? How was the campaign styled? What did they do wrong and how can they ensure a non-repeat? 

             The second thing is the rapid condemnation of the UDP loss as brought about by vote buying. Is there any proof of this? I think we should be careful and not rush to judgment or make statements without having all the facts before us as this can undermine our credibility if we are wrong or cannot prove our case. Voices have been raised regarding this and the best way to make our case is to have all the facts before us and then make an action plan. Even if it is true that the election was lost due to the buying of votes, what does that say about the electorate? Have we given them more credit than they deserve? Has their economic situation rendered them victims to unscrupulous political machinations? What can be done about this? What does this say about the opposition in general and the UDP in particular? How can they be so negligent that this takes place without their noticing or stopping it? How can the opposition ensure vigilance to stop or at least make impossible attempts to buy votes come October?

            The third butut is whether the use of state property gave the APRC an unfair edge. As is the case in developing countries, governments use state media, vehicles, funds etc. to give them an unfair advantage over opponents. Was this the case here? If so, why didn't the UDP do anything about it? What is the opposition's strategy to counter such come October?

            Another issue is that of intimidation. Were the voters intimidated into staying at home? If so, then it is rather serious. Were the UDP aware of any such practices? What did they do about it? Do have any evidence that such took place? What are they going to do to ensure that those who were engaged in such are dealt with? How can the opposition ensure a climate conducive to the exercise of their supporters' constitutional rights come October? 

            Another issue is whether we have placed confidence in the opposition that is beyond their ability. Is the opposition capable of delivering the goods? Do we have a realistic picture of what is happening in The Gambia? Does the electorate take human rights as an issue worth bringing the government down over? Are human rights issues important to the electorate? Are the things we cry about out here in the West important to the average Samba on the streets of Kerr Pateh? If not, how can the opposition magnify issues that have relevance to the average people to ensure that they would be interested enough to vote come October. Jabou Joh puts it aptly when she states: "Personally, I think that a lack of understanding of government's responsibility to the people is why a party like the APRC can still win votes after all that has transpired, including the precarious situation the farmers have found themselves in." If this is the case, what can be done to educate the people and thus empower them to make the right decisions based on understanding of the issues at stake?

            There are other factors that I would like to talk about but I have to do something now. I'll try and talk about them later. However, with the scanty information and facts at my disposal at the moment, I join Saul Khan in congratulating the APRC candidate with the option of taking it back should the facts state wrongdoing. Have a good day.

                                                                                                                        Buharry.

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