By Mamour M Mbenga
On 14 January 2016, The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
commenced issuing Voters’ Cards to Gambian citizens who were not
registered before, across the country. it will end on 12 March 2016.
Foroyaa visited some of the Registration centres to see how the
process is going on.The registration officer Muhamed Assan Bojang of Bakoteh Bantaba Ward
of Serrekunda West Constituency explained the importance of having a
voter’s card. He stressed that Citizens need voters’ cards.
Other registration centres were also visited, places like Plaza
Cinema, Nusrat Bundung in Serrekunda Central Constituency and Buffer
Zone in Serrekunda East.
The registration officer Muhammed Gaye at Buffer Zone told Foroyaa
that the registration exercise will last for a period of two months as
teams move from one place to another. He explained that voters who
wish to replace their voters’ cards should pay D100 for the
replacement but it is free of charge for those who have never been
registered before.
“Registration starts at 8am and ends at 5pm, we are tasked to be at
this station for eight days and will move to another destination after
that. The requirements needed to be issued with a voter’s cards is to
provide your national documents like your ID Card, Birth certificate,
Passport or an Attestation document will be given to be filled and be
guaranteed by your village Alkalo or Sefoo,’’ said Mr Gaye.
One of the Supervisors Tida Jaiteh at the Buffer Zone also explained
their role in their posted station.
‘’We keep records of the voter’s card number, we report any problems
on the ground to IEC head office and we are also in charge of the
registration materials,’’ said Tida Jaiteh.
Mr Amidou Kamateh, one of the supervisors and the registration officer
at the Bundung Nusrat Registration station urges Gambians to come out
to be issued with a voter’s card so that they can have a voice and
power on their rights.
Mr Kamateh expressed the need for greater publicity and proper sensitisation.
He opined that every Good citizen should caste their own vote, noting
that a citizen without a voter’s cards is just like a soldier without
a gun.
