The Gambians in particular and the international community at large are increasingly focusing on the promises made by the President to have a referendum on a Bill for an Act to promulgate the constitution not later than 31st December, 2026.
We have repeatedly announced that there are processes that are mandatory to follow before such Bill is subjected to referendum. The first step to take is the publication of the promulgation Bill in the Gazette. A second publication is also required which must be done at least not less than ten days after the first publication. We are now heading towards August. If the bill is to see the light of the day in the National Assembly, it will only be possible no earlier than the end of October 2024.
Hence if the bill is published in the Gazette before the end of this month, the National Assembly will only be able to start its debate in November. This is also the time when the Assembly heads towards its budget session. This means that the Assembly will be under pressure for the Bill to go through all the stages of the Assembly so that the Bill will be submitted to the IEC for the holding of a referendum within six months. It also means that the IEC would have to rush to hold the referendum if the deadline of 31st December as promised by the President is to be complied with. Time is running out.
