The Independent Published Monday, April 2, 2001 As As electoral body prepares for October elections IEC considers voting chance for Gambians abroad The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is devising modalities to facilitate Gambians abroad to vote in the October parliamentary and presidential elections. Said Yusuf the IEC communication officer has revealed plans by the electoral body to give Gambians abroad access to take part in this year's elections. If successfully implemented, it would be the first chance for Gambians who live and work abroad to take part in the polls. Speaking to our reporter, Mr. Yusuf stated that IEC is studying modalities to make this possible and is currently working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs who would provide an appraisal of the concentration of Gambian residents abroad before registration. He said a careful study is being made to give limited mandate to Gambian Embassies abroad to conduct the elections on behalf of the IEC which he said cannot oversee the elections here and abroad simultaneously due to limited expertise. Mr. Yusuf noted that the stakes for this year's presidential election are very high and that the IEC is working vigilantly to make sure that the groundwork and rules for the conduct of a free and fair election for Gambian abroad are properly placed. He expressed optimism that immediately after completing an assessment of their work the Commission would decide whether Gambians abroad could vote. Said Yusuf however raised concern over what he saw as inherent difficulties in the process of conducting a polls extension for Gambians abroad. According to him The Gambia's electoral system is unique, using ballot drums instead of ballot papers. The transportation of these ballot drums abroad would be difficult and unsafe for the conduct of a free and fair election he observed. He also expressed concern over the IEC's capacity to facilitate candidates reaching their supporters abroad. He said there would also be an unanswered question of whether overseas votes would be counted abroad or in The Gambia. "All the modalities for this" Mr. Yusuf said "are not yet in place". Mr. Yusuf noted that if all these concerns are properly addressed on time, there would be what he called a strong possibility for overseas Gambians to vote in this year's presidential and parliamentary elections. "The IEC is doing all it can to enable Gambians abroad to take part in this year's elections" he emphasised. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------