MUHAMMED S. BAH
Alhaji Alieu Momarr Njie, Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), said after having successfully completed yet another year, the Commission would like to put forward recommendations for the cooperation and assistance of all stakeholders in the implementation of the 2016-2018 electoral cycle.
The IEC Chairman made this appeal while presenting the Annual Report of the Commission for 2014 before the joint Public Accounts and Public Enterprises Committee (PAC/PEC) of the National Assembly yesterday, 19 May 2016.
Mr. Njie told the PAC/PEC members that the Commission developed a five year strategic plan in 2014 in a bid to improve on service delivery and ensure a better performance.
“This road map has the following pillars: Reform of the electoral regulatory framework, Voter participation in the electoral process, Institutional capacity building, Continuous engagement of stakeholders, Maintaining accurate up-to-date Voter Register,” said the IEC Chairman.
In his presentation, the IEC Chairman also highlighted some of the activities they have carried out during the year 2014 and which include conducting of institutional elections, preparation of the supplementary voter registration in 2016, development of the five year strategic plan, among others.
Mr. Njie also appealed for stakeholder intervention in the mobilization of resources to cover the 25% shortfall in the Commission’s budget for the scheduled 2016 presidential election. He said their budget is D293, 925, 493.96.
The IEC Chairman also presented some recommendations to the PAC/PEC.
The Audited Financial Report of the IEC was presented by Mr. Lamin Cham, Finance Director, and which was followed by the external auditors’ queries on the report, recommendations and the management’s response to concerns raised.
Some observations were made by officials of the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) which include the awarding of contracts to companies that have not renewed their registration with the Authority and which they noted has some implications. However, the IEC is said to be 90% compliant with the GPPA regulations.
At this juncture, Hon. Ba Faye Saidykhan, the National Assembly Member for Jarra East who presided over the session, asked the IEC officials to return on Monday, 23 May 2016, for further scrutiny of their reports.
