By: Kebba AF Touray
The Legislative Joint Committee on Regional Government, Human and Constitutional Matters of the National Assembly has proposed an increment of deposit in the nomination for Presidential candidate from Five Hundred Thousand (D500, 000.00) to One Million Dalasi (D1,000 000.00).
The Members of the Joint Committee met and agreed on the said increment on Monday 30th January, 2023 at the National Assembly, during their review of the Joint Committee’s Draft Report on the Elections Bill.
“The Committee proposes that clause 43 stands part of the bill with the following amendments, that the sum of D500, 000.00 under clause 43 (1) (A) be increased to D1, 000,000,” said Member for Wuli East, Suwaibou Touray, while reading the draft report before the Joint Committee.
The proposed increment stated in the Draft Report of the said Committee was unanimously agreed by members of the said committee.
Member for Serrekunda West, who doubles as the Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee, Madi Ceesay, told members of the Committee that during their last consultation with the electorates on the Elections Bill, the amount of (D1 Million) was recommended nationwide.
The committee also recommends that the return of deposit of 20 percent provided for the offices of National Assembly Members, Mayors, Mayoress and chairpersons, be reduced to 15 percent and 5 percent for the Councilors respectively.
On objection to nominations, the committee recommended that the time for filling in the objections be reduced from 8am to 4pm to 8am to 12pm (midday) for a registered voter to object the nomination of a candidate.
On the number of nominators, the Committee also recommended that the number of nomination votes required under clause 42(2) (d) for the nomination for Councilors be increased from 75 voters to 100 voters.
In the report, the Committee also recommended that the number of voters for the nomination to the offices of Mayor and Chairpersons be increased from 150 voters to 1000 voters.
The Committee after its review of the draft report is expected to lay the report before the plenary for subsequent scrutiny, consideration and adoption in the coming ordinary session of the august body.
