The annual report of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was yesterday presented to the National Assembly by the Chairman of the IEC, Alhaji Mustapha L Carrayol. The report contains the activities of the electoral commission in 2008.

Section 429 of the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia requires the IEC to submit its annual report, which covers all its activities, to parliament. According to Chairman Carrayol, the submission of the annual report of the electoral commission to the National Assembly is in fulfillment of that constitutional requirement. He further dilated on the various activities his office embarked on during the course of the year such as trainings, seminars, attending international conferences and duties, among others.

Receiving the report, Hon. Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, the speaker of the National Assembly, expressed delight with the IEC for honoring their constitutional obligations. According to her, The Gambia has made tremendous achievements in the drive to entrench democracy as manifested by the country's electoral system, despite various constraints.

She commended the IEC for the hard work and dedication over the years adding that The Gambia is a role model in the sub-region particularly in conducting free and fair elections, a fact she attributed to the conducive environment created by the present government. She also hailed the steadfastness of the electoral commission in upholding the principles of democracy in accordance with the constitution of The Gambia. She further thanked the commission officials for being very action oriented but also raised concern over certain issues she believes the IEC needs to address.

For his part, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Majority leader and National Assembly member for Serrekunda East also saluted the IEC for promoting the democratic credentials of the country through conducting free and fair elections. He recalled the steady gains of the electoral body since its establishment and urged them to keep up the momentum.