Gambians demand empirical justification over delay of voter’s registration 

By: Mariama Njie

The Independent Electoral Commission has been asked to provide concreate justification to its postponement of voter’s registration.

This comes days after the electoral body announced postponement of scheduled 14 January voter registration and claimed it on lack of clearance from the Gambia Public Procurement Authority.

But Musa Manneh a citizen said IEC is hiding something from the public “the logistic problem they are talking about should be well explained to the citizens but just saying due to a logistic problem is worrying.”

He lashed out at the Commission for what he called officially abused of office while saying the body should have prepared for election at least four years back.

“The institution should not issue a statement within a period of three weeks and changes its statement when they had already fixed a date. People have started mobilizing resources making sure that this process goes smoothly and transparent as possible, but is a worrying sign coming from the IEC,” he said.

Haddy Jobe, asked rhetorically if they are concern about the conduct of IEC since the change of government. She added on that whatever, Gambians deserve credible registration process and fair election

She urged the IEC board to be transparent and act fairy in the interest of all citizens.

Another concern Gambian Saikou Trawally: “said IEC’s announcement is a very disappointing message to Gambians after four years. What we expected from the IEC was at least to know that after five years we are going into election and all the resources and logistic have to be put in place.”

“IEC have put people’s mind in a state of confussion because no one really understand what they meant by a logistic problem,” he added.

Pa Malick Jallow, advised IEC to be transparent in whatever they are doing for the betterment of all.