By Yankuba Jallow
Seven candidates were voted for at the Serrekunda West Constituency. Candidates cast their votes in their respective polling stations. It was observed that all the activities of the due electoral processes were conducted and the party agents were not left out in the process making it transparent and fair.
The contesting candidates are Samba Jatta APRC, Modou Jane GDC, Matar Ceesay PDOIS Mustapha Lowe Independent Candidate, Bakary Singhateh Independent, Solbie Jeng PPP and Madi MK Ceesay UDP.
One of the candidates, Matar Ceesay of PDOIS, said he is happy with the way the procedures of the election are being conducted. According to him, in the coalition’s manifesto, they promised some reforms which includes electoral, institutional and constitutional reforms respectively and he shall fight for that to be done. He said he is ready to advocate for term limit to be reinstituted in the Constitution. He further said that women empowerment is also a priority in his agenda and he will advocate for laws that will promote their welfare especially educating them. In his manifesto he said he will establish an office where he and the ward councilors will be tasked to look into the affairs of the constituency. Saikou Barrow, the Constituency Co-ordinator said the low turnout of the National Assembly is not new because the people value Presidential election more than National Assembly elections. He however expects more people to come out and vote.
Ousman Ndow a voter said the low turnout may be due to the fact that some people are always engage in the morning but expects a higher turnout during the day.
Madi M.K Ceesay said his top priority is to advocate for Media laws reform and to revoke the Indemnity Act. “The Constitution of the Gambia is not a good one and I will call for a review of the Constitution”. He said his method of representation will be mainly consultation where he will establish Serrekunda West Constituency Development Committee to discuss the issues affecting the Constituency and provide remedies or solutions. He calls on the people to stay calm after voting and wait for the announcements.
Speaking, Ebrima Jatta alias D.J mutabaruka at the Manjie Polling center said he came to vote because it is a right that he must manifest and vote for the candidate he thinks will be the right candidate for his Constituency.
One Yankuba Danso at the Dippa Kunda Mosque polling station said he came to vote to exercise his civic right and that he is going to vote for his party. He added that his party will not choose a wrong candidate but expresses his dissatisfaction with the low voter turnout. The turnout in both Manjai Market and Dippa Kunda polling stations was very terrible, he said.
