There can be no third republic without a constitution of a third republic. This is inconceivable without a referendum. A referendum is inconceivable without voters and no list of voters can be complete without registration of those who attained the age to vote from 2016 to 2020. Any attempt to hold a referendum by excluding such people could be rightly challenged at the level of the courts.
Section 26 of the 1997 Constitution states:
Every citizen of The Gambia of full age and capacity shall have the right, without unreasonable restrictions –
(a) to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives;
(b) to vote and stand for elections at genuine periodic elections for public office, which elections shall be by universal and equal suffrage and be held by secret ballot;
(c) to have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in The Gambia.
It is the right of each citizen to be served by the Independent Electoral Election to be registered as a voter and to vote in all elections and referenda without any form of discrimination or exclusion.
We hope the Independent Electoral Commission will take extra ordinary measures to ensure it conducts registration of voters before the holding of any general election or referendum. Foroyaa will reach out to the IEC for further explanation on the way forward.
