By Ndey Sowe
The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has issued a warning to a group of individuals referring to themself as “Operation No Illegal Voting” to desist from illegally conducting voter sensitization.
In a presser issued on Tuesday, 9th February, 2021, the ICE stated: “It has come to the notice of the Independent Electoral Commission that a group of individuals referring to itself as “Operation No Illegal Voting,” is illegally conducting voter sensitization in Upper River Region and West Coast Region.”
Alieu Momar Njie, the Independent Electoral Commission Chairperson said the aforesaid group was impersonating as it was operating under the authority of the IEC.
“They wear T-Shirts bearing IEC logo and are purportedly engaging with Chiefs and Alkalolu warning them on electoral matters,” he said.
The IEC Chairperson therefore urged the group to desist from such actions immediately failure of which legal action would be taken against them.
“Impersonation is illegal and the commission would not tolerate such,” he said.
Chairman Njie added that the commission recognizes the role of Civil Society Organizations and therefore their activities must be within the confines of the laws of The Gambia.
“The Independent Electoral Commission is mandated to conduct voter education pursuant to section 134 (A) of the Elections Amendment Acts 2015. However, it sometimes collaborates with stakeholders in the fulfillment of this mandate,” he said.
