By: Sekou Hydara
Miroslav Poche, head of European Union Election Observer Mission (EOM) has said that The Gambia is in a period of transition, which offers an unprecedented opportunity to promote legal reform and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.
He also said that much legal reform has already been initiated in an inclusive process,noting that it is important that these reforms come to fruition in advance of the next election, to provide certainty for stakeholders.
Miroslav Poche made the statement at a press conference Thursday at a local hotel in Bakau where he revealed his mission in the country.
According to him, his mission is Election Follow-up Mission (EFM) meant to engage electoral stakeholders including the President, Members of the Government, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Assembly Members, Political Parties and representatives of the Civil society among other.
He disclosed that his mission has offered thirty one (31) recommendations to the country in a bid to improving future electoral processes that will put the country on track with the international and regional standards for democratic elections.
Poche pointed out that amongst the suggested constitutional amendments issues raised, the quotas for women participation in all spheres of governance needs to be encourage so that the absent of nearly half of the population of The Gambia is included in the processes.
He noted that currently there are only five women representative among the 58 member national assembly of The Gambia.
“It was also recommended that the National Assembly could be elected entirely by the people, without nominated members. Change was also recommended to strengthen the institutional independence of the IEC and the GRTS by altering the appointment system,” Poche observed.
He said significant strides have been made in interpreting pre-existing legislation in line with international standards for democratic election, adding that EU is eager and willing to engage in close co-operation with The Gambia with a view to the maintenance and further deepening of democracy.
He said significant strides have been made in interpreting pre-existing legislation in line with international standards for democratic election, adding that EU is eager and willing to engage in close co-operation with The Gambia with a view to the maintenance and further deepening of democracy.
The EU Election Observer Chief continues to disclose that other recommendation could be achieved through changes to legislation alone, observing that one of these recommendation is the inequalities in the representation of voters per constituency.
“Constituency boundaries at present provide for vast variation in the number of voters per constituency, ranging from 1, 980 to 46, and 502. Amendment of many aspect of the Elections Act was also recommended, with reform for voter registration of high priority, a revised voter register could be established, providing citizens with timely opportunities to be included,” said Miroslav Poche, EU EOM Chief to Gambia in 2017, Legislative election.
He said it will be particularly important if more than fifty percent of the population take part in the forthcoming referendum for the new constitution.
Poche further pointed out that other recommendation could be achieved through changes to legislation alone, pointing that one of these recommendation is the inequalities in the representation of voters per constituency.
“Constituency boundaries at present provide for vast variation in the number of voters per constituency, ranging from 1, 980 to 46, and 502. Amendment of many aspect of the Elections Act was also recommended, with reform for voter registration of high priority, a revised voter register could be established, providing citizens with timely opportunities to be included,” said Miroslav Poche, EU EOM Chief to Gambia in 2017, Legislative election.
He said it will be particularly important if more than fifty percent of the population take part in the forthcoming referendum for the new constitution.
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