The UDP Manifesto The Independent (Banjul) READER'S FORUM September 28, 2001 Posted to the web September 28, 2001 Banjul, the Gambia In our last Election Forum, we started a serialized publication of the United Democratic Party's manifesto by publishing the introduction. Please continue reading. Abraham Lincoln in 1863 described Democracy as 'Government of the people by the people and for the people'. We are committed to the concept of a representative democracy in which people choose based on informed decisions who they want to represent them and defend their interests and conduct the affairs of the state on their behalf. The present constitution was tailor-made to suit the members of the AFPRC, which was preparing to turn themselves into politicians. Despite popular demand the AFPRC ignored the wishes of the Gambia people. A UDP government will introduce constitutional amendments, which would amongst others include: a.) limiting the term of the Presidency to 2 terms of 5 years; b.) limiting the term of local government executives to 3 terms of 4 fours; c.) Making the office of chiefs and election one; d.) Entrenching provisions relating to the Independent Electoral Commission e.) Making provisions which would enable organisations other than political parties to sponsor candidates for elections. Commitment to democracy and human rights The UDP has a fundamental belief in and is committed to democracy and respect for human rights. There can be no sustained and meaningful development in the absence of a genuine democracy. The people of this country have an inalienable right to participate in all decision-making process on all issues affecting their lives and the conditions of their existence. Fraud, waste and embezzlement are absolutely no reasons for the seizure, abuse and demolition of the rights of the citizens of this country or any other country. All citizens of the Gambia must be treated equally as human beings in the eyes of the law. Everyone has the fundamental right to be listened to and be heard when accused or found to be in breach of the law. The UDP will ensure the establishment of an independent judiciary as the executive arms of the law to take all legal actions necessary to preserve the rights and privileges of the society. We are strongly committed to the protection of the citizen at all times as reflected in the constitution of the Gambia, the Universal declaration of Human Rights and similar legal instruments that seek to protect the individual against the might of the state. We shall give full support to the individual against the might of the state. We shall also give full support to the strengthening of the democratic institutions in the country. These will include: i. Political parties Political parties will be recognised as the vehicles for expressing the political will and aspirations of the citizens. As one of the pillars of democratic practice, political parties shall provide the necessary framework for the effective participation of the citizenry in the political process. We shall support and encourage the operations of a multi party environment that will subscribe to the process of affecting a change of government. Any law that seeks to restrict the operations of such political parties shall be abrogated. As important agencies in the political educational process, the UDP government shall provide support to political parties in carrying out their civic education programs. ii. The Press The press has a particularly important role to play in strengthening democracy. It has the responsibility of informing and educating the citizens as well as the government on the concerns, needs and possibilities of the ship of state. To fulfill this role effectively calls for an active press and committed journalists whether from the public or private sector. We will support and encourage a free press as a pillar of democracy. We will abolish all unjustified restrictions on the press. We shall also ensure that individual privacy and personal information are protected for all citizens. iii. Civic education Civic education can only take place effectively in an atmosphere devoid of authoritarianism. We will encourage and support civic education through the national committees, the schools and the political parties so that the citizens can play a more active and enlightened role in the political development of the country. An enlightened population will be a bulwark against political abuse of power and defense against military interference in politics. To be continued in next issue. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------