reaking News: Gambia: The Year 2011, Is A Year Of Transformation- Hamat Bah Tells IEC.jpg) The Year 2011, Is A Year Of Transformation- Hamat Bah Tells IECBah Says The Gambia Will Have New President By Staff Reporter Ebrima Jarju, Banjul The Leader of the National Reconciliation Party Hamat NK Bah, has said that the year 2011, is a year of transformation and change, in which The Gambia is of no exception. Mr. Bah was speaking at the IEC Press Conference Tuesday. He said Change is very vital as many Gambians today are ready for change, and nothing can stop that this time around—noting that the IEC should take a bold step in discouraging foreigners to vote in our elections. “The Elections are for The Gambians and we have some non Gambians who are registered by the IEC to vote,” said Mr. Bah. Mr. Bah adds that his party’s attempts to question the citizenship of the registered non Gambians through the revising courts was denied by the presiding magistrates due to lack of constitutional mandate to empower magistrates to determine who can vote, and who cannot vote in an election. He said the electoral decree put in place limits the powers of magistrates. Mr. Bah therefore calls for a constitutional amendment to cater for such an important electoral provision to empower the courts to issue ruling against non citizens registered by the IEC. He said the non Gambians already registered by the IEC will vote come November. He said under the circumstances there is no law in the country that bars them from voting. For his part, the UDP Leader Ousainanou Darboe, urges the IEC to compel those caught making fraudulent registration to surrender their voters cards. He said such violators should be prosecuted. Mr. Darboe said the IEC should discourage foreigners from voting in Gambia’s national elections. The PDOIS representative at the meeting Halifa Sallah also threw his weight behind Mr. Darboe, and Hamat Bah’s call for credible elections. Mr. Sallah said the Commission should endeavor to guarantee credible elections. The forum also witnessed the announcement of the new IEC Police liaison officer in the person of Superintendent Sabou Ceesay. For news tips, and rejoinders, please e-mail our editor at:[log in to unmask], or [log in to unmask]Tel. 001-919-749-6319
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