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     EDITORIAL  STEALING OUR ELECTIONS AHEAD- JAMMEH'S CONSPIRACY DEAL WITH THE IEC EXPOSED  November 23, 2005
Gambia's 2006 Presidential elections, had been rigged in advance by the Jammeh government. The country's Electoral Commission IEC, as they called it, is working hand in hand with President Yahya Jammeh, in a bid to steal the much talked about elections. The IEC, headed by Ndondi SZ Njie, is aiding and abetting the Jammeh dictatorship to challenge a high court ruling, which disqualifies voters, who were said to have obtained Gambia's voters cards illegally. The said voters, who were denied voting in the just concluded by elections, were not enlisted on the country's main electoral register. Some reports have it that the disqualified voters were mainly from Southern Province of Casamance Senegal. The said voters were registered "clandestinely" by the IEC.

In a statement this week, IEC Chairman Mr.Njie insists that there was nothing wrong for the IEC to challenge the decision of the High Court, which disqualified such voters from taking part in future elections. Hear Mr.Njie in this statement "The Constitution requires IEC to ensure that eligible voters are able to exercise their right to vote at elections and referenda. Therefore, IEC would fail in its duty if it deprives any eligible Gambian from (sic) exercising that right."

We are not the least surprised about Mr.Njie's assertion. From day one, we knew that he and his cronies were hired to do a dirty job for Jammeh -in that we mean stealing our elections. The present IEC composition are not men of principles. They will carry out what ever task given to them by Jammeh-be it godly or ungodly. The above statement attributed to Mr.Njie, speak volumes about the type of electoral system we have in The Gambia. It is wrong for Gambians to call this institution an Independent body. It is not only a mockery, but an insult to the right thinking members of Gambians. The IEC is not the least independent. In another words it is best described as a "DEPENDANT INSTITUTION" which is being remote controlled by Jammeh.

The most ideal thing, we expected from Njie and his idle team was to assert their independence in this crucial period of our country's political history. Such comments should have emanated from the state law office and not the IEC, which should not only be seen as independent, but be responsible in the way and manner it presides over such a delicate institution.

The IEC statement in defence of the illegal registration of voters lacks merit and substance. Hear the IEC chairman again, trying to lecture us about registration process "Registration begins where the eligible Gambian presents himself/herself to the registering officer presenting one of the documents that qualifies (sic) him/her to be registered as a voter. The personal details of the applicant and his or her photo image are entered into a form, which is part of a registration book. This part of the registration form is detached from the booklet and bound in a transparent laminated with the photograph of the cardholder affixed in on the registration card."

We do not need to be lectured about such basic electoral process. What we want to hear from this useless and failed institution is to tell Gambians how they planned to avert the current election rigging process, which are in high gears. The IEC woefully and miserably failed to tell Gambians, when such voters were registered and what part of The Gambia were they registered. Most of these voters, whose qualifications are being questioned or doubted across the country, cannot tell you names of village alkalos, chiefs and local commissioners. How can the IEC turned around telling us such an electoral crap? Who in his right mind will buy the cover up stories and lies advanced by Jammeh's errand boys?

From our own understanding, Mr.Njie, was telling us how elections are rigged. Rigging starts at the registration process and the factors leading to the elections. This includes, harassment of the opposition, the private press and total control of the state media. The arrest of the NADD three, messrs Halifa Sallah, Hamat NK Bah and Omar Amadou Jallow alias (OJ) are classical example of election rigging. NADD is kind of distracted by Jammeh, as they are currently focused on the plight of their colleagues in this trying period. Their planned naming of a flag bearer, in the country's 2006 polls, which was scheduled for December, is now hanging on the air. Jammeh's objective is to disintegrate the opposition and to discredit potential candidates, who might posed as a threat to his dictatorial regime. We can comfortably say that the three detained NADD officials are active members of Gambia's newest coalition and Jammeh will do whatever it takes to undermine the wellbeing of NADD.

We are not foreseeing any political rift within the NADD leadership, but common sense dictates that Jammeh's objective is to knock their heads together. The detention of Halifa, OJ and Hamat is a test for the opposition and any attempt on their side to condone Jammeh's bully and intimidatory tactics, will cost them dearly. NADD should move on and name a flag bearer, as suggested by some Gambians both at home and abroad. There is no point to buy time.

The recent move taken by the Inspector General of police Ousman Sonko to deny NADD permit to convene a political rally in Serre Kunda is another way of rigging elections. If the Ruling Party can organise rallies, why not the opposition? What is good for the goose is good for the gander. There should be a level political field, if this government is interested in free and fair elections. Denying the opposition the right to peaceful assembly is unacceptable and undemocratic.

Gambia's opposition had long been taken for a ride by Jammeh. We expect you to assert your constitutionally guaranteed rights and stop serving as political spectators. If you allowed your rights to be abused once, it means you are giving room to Jammeh to further infringe on your basic liberties and rights. The culture of silence should stop, if you want to win the respect and support of your followers and sympathisers. We are sick and tied with strongly worded press releases and media statements. What we want to see is action and nothing less. There is no point to cry foul after the elections, when you are all living witnesses to Jammeh and IEC'S conspiracy deal reached to steal the elections. Now is the time to cry foul and not after the elections.

One thing Mr.Njie and his group should bear in mind is that, the future of our country lies in your hands and you will be held responsible for any political crisis or disturbances that occured in The Gambia now towards the elections. We expect you to discharge your duties with tactfulness and independence. Anything besides this, is unacceptable. The civilised world is closely watching at you.

This is not the time to take clearance from Jammeh. This is not the time to allow non Gambians to invade our electoral register. And this is not the time to conspire with Jammeh to deny Gambians to elect their leader of choice. We expect the IEC to revisit its well planned election rigging and expunge the names of foreign voters on our electoral register. The IEC should act as a referee in this crucial period of our nation and not to serve as a player. You cannot serve as a referee and a player at the same time. Are your hands clean Mr.Njie and Co? We are not convinced that these bunch of former Jammeh's appointees, will dispense justice in the 2006 elections. But remember, God's decision is more powerful than that of the battered IEC. Time will tell. We rest our case...

The author is the former Secretary General of The Gambia press Union and also a former Voice of America radio Banjul Correspondent. Mr. M'Bai who now resides in the US State of North Carolina Raleigh was a leading political and crime reporter with the Point and Daily Observer newspapers respectively. He can be reached by email at the following addresses: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]

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