I think we should re-read this forward before we start the blame game. While
some may not like the outcome, it is every Gambian's responsibility to
gracefully accept the will of the people. I thank Allah for granting the
ordinary Gambian people the wisdom to go through it all with minimal
violence. I thank all those who stayed overnight to bring us the results.
Malanding Jaiteh
----- Original Message -----
From: "Beran jeng" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2001 4:08 PM
Subject: FWD:Presidential Poll Ends Without Incident
> Presidential Poll Ends Without Incident
>
>
>
>
> allAfrica.com
>
> October 18, 2001
> Posted to the web October 18, 2001
>
> Special Correspondent
> Washington, DC
>
> Contrary to widespread fears of violence and chaos, Gambia's crucial
> presidential poll proceeded and ended peacefully on Thursday. Reliable
> sources on the ground told allafrica.com that the voter turn-out was
> surprisingly good, voting proceeded peacefully and polling stations across
> the country closed at 1600hrs GMT.
>
> The run-up to Thursday's poll was marred by a spate of violent clashes
> between ruling party supporters and supporters of the three-party
opposition
> coalition led by Lawyer Ousainou Darboe. The worst clashes on Tuesday left
> at least one opposition supporter dead after security forces opened fire
> apparently in a bid to disperse rowdy crowds. The compound of the ruling
> party MP for Serekunda East constituency was burnt to the ground by angry
> youths, fueling fears that the actual polling day would see more violence.
>
> "We have had reports from our agents at polling stations across the
country
> and we are very satisfied with the conduct of the polls," said Mr. Ebou
> Manneh, Senior Administrative Secretary for the coalition. "We are very
> happy and we are confident of victory. We are just waiting for the
> preliminary results," he said.
>
> A senior coalition member told allafrica.com that so far, they were "95
> percent satisfied with the conduct of the polls."
>
> "There have been a few hitches, but overall we are happy. We have
conducted
> ourselves responsibly and there has not been a single incidence of
> violence," said Mr. Momodou Darboe.
>
> Both coalition members would not, however, rule out the possibility of
> future problems.
>
> Meanwhile, similar optimistic notes were sounded by President Jammeh's
> Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction. House Majority
leader
> Tamsir Jallow told allafrica.com that his party's candidate was confident
of
> a landslide victory.
>
> "The voter turnout was very good across the country and everything went on
> very peacefully. We are very very confident of a landslide victory," said
Mr
> Jallow. He cited the fact that the first result that came in from
> Janjanbureh constituency in Central River Division indicated a victory for
> Jammeh.
>
> As at 1900hrs GMT, independent sources on the ground still maintained that
> the election was too close to call. Fears that the counting process or
> actual results would spark further controversy and possible violence were
> still valid, an observer told allafrica.com. President Jammeh has however,
> been quoted as saying that he would concede defeat in the event that his
> opponent was declared the winner.
>
> Preliminary results were expected to start trickling in to national radio
> and television by nightfall Thursday.
>
> Several international observers including groups from the Commonwealth,
the
> House of Commons, the United Nations, Transparency International, the BBC
> and AP, are in the country to monitor the polls.
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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