Mamma Kandeh, party leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress yesterday Monday 7th November, 2016 delivered his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral Commission held at the IEC headquarter in Bertil Harding Highway, Kanifing.
The event attended by IEC officials, representative of both local and international media outlets and party loyalist to the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) marked day 1 of the nomination process.
In his declaration, Mr. Alieu Momar Njai Chairman of IEC said, as enshrined in the Electoral act and Constitution of the Gambia that all aspiring candidates must fulfil all criteria which amongst being a Gambian Citizen, completed senior secondary school, must be an ordinary resident in The Gambia for the past 5 years, must be above 30 years old but not more than 65 years, be endorsed by more than 5000 registered voters in which 200 must be in all the 7 administrative areas of The Gambia, declaration of his personal assets, issues his tax clearance from GRA, deposited D500 000 to the IEC account, must submit a party symbol, color, picture, party manifesto, campaign itinery.
He stated that before voting starts, all the party agents would ensure that the polling drums are totally empty and would be sealed in the presence of party agents and representatives.
Mr. Njai congratulated Mama Kandeh for fulfilling all the criteria set for the nomination and therefore declared him fit for stand for presidency and deliver him a IEC Letter 2016 but subjected to scrutiny in which any complaint or related anything that was not properly done would be communicated to him called on him to maintain peace and preach it towards his supporters.
Chairman Njai noted that nobody has the right to enter the polling booth except registered voters So there will be transparency, the IEC chairman assured the candidate.
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Reaching to the process, Mamma Kandeh flag bearer of Gambia Democratic Congress, in his remarks, thanked all the members of the GDC and everyone, especially the IEC, for giving them the opportunity to be part of the electoral process, and the sensitisation exercise that has been conducted by the IEC nationwide.
“Gambians have been calling and registering their appreciation for what the IEC is doing in terms of sensitization, and giving them the right to vote for anyone they feel like voting for.
“I concur with the IEC that the elections cannot be rigged, especially this coming election, because we have also been following the footsteps of the IEC and the environment you have created for all the political parties,” the GDC leader added.
“The election is going to be free and fair, and the GDC is a party that respects everybody’s dignity and rights, and we are non-violent people and our message is always peace.
“I, therefore, urge all political parties to maintain the same spirit, and the election is just a number of days and is done; and afterall we are Gambians and we will remain Gambians.
“We are also one family and The Gambia is too small for us to create violence within us; it is something that we don’t need,” he said.
BY: Biram S Jobe BB
Photo Courtesy: Mamat Faye (Mamat Images)
The event attended by IEC officials, representative of both local and international media outlets and party loyalist to the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) marked day 1 of the nomination process.
In his declaration, Mr. Alieu Momar Njai Chairman of IEC said, as enshrined in the Electoral act and Constitution of the Gambia that all aspiring candidates must fulfil all criteria which amongst being a Gambian Citizen, completed senior secondary school, must be an ordinary resident in The Gambia for the past 5 years, must be above 30 years old but not more than 65 years, be endorsed by more than 5000 registered voters in which 200 must be in all the 7 administrative areas of The Gambia, declaration of his personal assets, issues his tax clearance from GRA, deposited D500 000 to the IEC account, must submit a party symbol, color, picture, party manifesto, campaign itinery.
He stated that before voting starts, all the party agents would ensure that the polling drums are totally empty and would be sealed in the presence of party agents and representatives.
Mr. Njai congratulated Mama Kandeh for fulfilling all the criteria set for the nomination and therefore declared him fit for stand for presidency and deliver him a IEC Letter 2016 but subjected to scrutiny in which any complaint or related anything that was not properly done would be communicated to him called on him to maintain peace and preach it towards his supporters.
Chairman Njai noted that nobody has the right to enter the polling booth except registered voters So there will be transparency, the IEC chairman assured the candidate.
.
Reaching to the process, Mamma Kandeh flag bearer of Gambia Democratic Congress, in his remarks, thanked all the members of the GDC and everyone, especially the IEC, for giving them the opportunity to be part of the electoral process, and the sensitisation exercise that has been conducted by the IEC nationwide.
“Gambians have been calling and registering their appreciation for what the IEC is doing in terms of sensitization, and giving them the right to vote for anyone they feel like voting for.
“I concur with the IEC that the elections cannot be rigged, especially this coming election, because we have also been following the footsteps of the IEC and the environment you have created for all the political parties,” the GDC leader added.
“The election is going to be free and fair, and the GDC is a party that respects everybody’s dignity and rights, and we are non-violent people and our message is always peace.
“I, therefore, urge all political parties to maintain the same spirit, and the election is just a number of days and is done; and afterall we are Gambians and we will remain Gambians.
“We are also one family and The Gambia is too small for us to create violence within us; it is something that we don’t need,” he said.
BY: Biram S Jobe BB
Photo Courtesy: Mamat Faye (Mamat Images)