By: Kebba AF Touray
The Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Alieu Momarr Njai, has assured Gambians that they will conduct free and fair elections in the forthcoming electoral cycle.
Chairman Njai gave this assurance recently whilst delivering a statement on the launching of the Electoral Violence Monitoring, Analysis and Mitigation (EMAM) and Strengthening Multi stakeholder Response to Election Violence in the Gambia Projects.
The IEC Chairman thus urged all eligible Gambians to register to vote, emphasizing that the country has the most free and fair electoral system in the world. He also called on the public to exercise tolerance to avert violence and dispute.
The European Union Ambassador to the Gambia, Corrado Pampalon, said in the next few months, the EMAM Project will train electoral monitors for deployment across the country to monitor electoral processes in advance to the upcoming national elections.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Interior, Fanta B Samateh Manneh, said the two projects aim to prevent reoccurrence of negative impact of the past elections, such as violent political tension undermining the peace and stability in the country.
Manneh said the projects would complement the government’s efforts in strengthening the peace and security of the country, especially during the upcoming elections. She said it is the role of the government in ensuring that the country experiences fair, inclusive and peaceful elections, as well as the consolidation of its democracy.
Madam Manneh emphasized the roles of the CSOs, political parties and other private organizations in strengthening the prevention and mitigation mechanisms on election related violence. She hailed WANEP, EU and GIZ, for their partnership which resulted in the successful launching of the two projects.
