As the  campaign for the January 24 Local Government Election heats up, President Yahya Jammeh has called on  the electorate to participate fully to elect their local representatives at all levels saying  "local governance represents empowerment of local communities considering the strategic relevance of local government administration in the context of economic and social development of the country. It is a continuation of the democratization process and the last stage of the country's democratic elections."

He added that the elections must be done in a peaceful atmosphere to jealously safeguard the peace and transquility that The Gambia has been known for.

According to President Jammeh, since the enactment of the Local Government Act in 2001 and the launching of his government's decentralization programme, local government authorities have played a pivotal role in responding to the daunting challenges facing communities in the areas of education, health and sanitation.

He added: "I strongly believe that in the current global pre-occupation to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, the local government authorities would play a very significant and visible role in achieving our national agenda of socio-economic development, creating jobs and eradicating poverty, especially amongst the vulnerable.

The security of the country will not be compromised and government will do everything to maintain security at all cost and ensure smooth local government elections."

Disunity, indiscipline and tribalism condemned

President Jammeh said as chairman and leader of APRC, party members should  be mindful of party unity and discipline.  The party code of conduct must guide the behaviour of militants, supporters and sympathisers to engender the spirit of comradeship in order for the great party to stand the test of time, he said.

"Let me remind militants, supporters and sympathizers that I condemn the emergence of independent candidates amongst the APRC.  These candidates willingly declared during the selection process and made commitments that they would support any aspirant selected as APRC's sponsored candidate.

Therefore opposing the party's official candidate on an independent ticket is not only seen as undermining party unity but a challenge to the authority of our great party.  I will not hesitate to suspend or expel these candidates from the party in order to restore party discipline and unity,"  he stressed

The president reiterated that political parties should conduct themselves in a responsible and mature manner in order to have a successful exercise and also condemn politics based on tribalism or ethnicity.

He then urged the IEC to perform its duty as expected and to ensure a free and fair electoral process.