Editorial

The November 24th Presidential Election has come and gone amidst great transparency and observance of democratic standards of best practices. This reality is acknowledged by both local and international observers who joined us during this solemn democratic exercise to observe the process.

The independent Electoral Commission (IEC) like in all the previous elections conducted in the Second Republic proved once more that it is equal to the task. Now that the Commission has slated the National Assembly elections for March and needs about D21 million to conduct the exercise, we join its chairman to call on all stakeholders nationally and internationally, to both financially and technically come to the aid of the Commission to make our National Assembly elections another success story.  

Considering the fact that the government of The Gambia was the sole sponsor of the presidential election, coming to the aid of the IEC is a moral obligation of all stakeholders. The fact that the Commission since its establishment has never faulted in its mandate of organising periodic elections in the country and always ensure the prevalence of a level playing field during such exercises, demonstrates that the country is a democracy. Nurturing and consolidating that democracy should be everyone’s concern.

Besides, the principle of human development demands that those individuals, organisations and even countries that are better off should assist the less privileged so that they can also climb the ladder towards self-actualization.  Every sober minded person is also aware that The Gambia under the leadership of President Jammeh has advanced greatly toward building a democratic society; complementing the efforts of the government and country to consolidate the gains is in the best interest of democracy.

We therefore hope that all stakeholders would come aboard to contribute to the election basket of the country so that the forthcoming elections in the country can also be a success.  Of course, every stakeholder knows the value of such contribution to that end as it is an open secret that elections are very expensive and the government alone cannot foot its bills.  Let us help the IEC.