Nomination papers are being received by candidates who are duly selected by their parties or independent candidates to contest in the coming local government elections. However it is still uncertain when the Commission of Inquiry set up by the president will commence. According the Gambia Gazette published to set up the Commission of Inquiry, the Commission is given three months to submit their report. It would mean that their report will be submitted probably after the elections are held.
It is not clear how findings would impact on the local government elections. The principal legal adviser of the government needs to do the arithmetic of the law that makes the time given by the Independent Electoral Commission for elections. The two processes are major national events. The elections should proceed under a climate that would guarantee their freeness and fairness. Hence nothing should be done that would make the observers question the freeness, fairness and genuineness of the election outcome. Foroyaa will further make enquiries whether the commission will commence operation during the campaign period.
