By Adama Makasuba
Gambia Participate has reported an instance of alleged voters’ intimidation and harassment in Jokadu constituency.
Marr Nyang chief of Gambia Participate said in their election report findings that: “There were instances of intimidation and harassment allegedly by the State Intelligence Services (SIS) in Jokadu constituency. These issues were isolated and they did not systematically disadvantage any candidate or party or undermine the overall integrity of the process. Gambia Participates observers were accredited by the IEC and allowed to observe the entire processes of the election.”
“Voter inducements in monetary and material forms were reported by our observers, in both the pre-election period and on election day. This violates section 117 of the Elections Act and electoral code of conduct. As projected in our pre-election reports, female representation was expected to be very low in these parliamentary elections, only 3 women out of the 19 female candidates were elected. These were the female candidates for Banjul South (Independent), Foni Berefet (Independent), Sannehmentereng (UDP).
“The total percentage of elected female candidates will remain at 5%. This preliminary statement incorporates updates of some of the information made available to the public in the Election Day Situational Report released on Saturday, April 9, 2022,” he added.
“This preliminary statement is based on reports received from observers in every region and constituency, and covers the processes of voting, counting and announcement of results at the polling stations level. Based on reports from 99% of observed polling stations, Gambia Participates finds that across the country, the polling process afforded Gambians a credible opportunity to exercise their right to vote.
“The preliminary analysis of the reports indicated that the election day processes were substantially conducted in accordance with the electoral laws and procedures of The Gambia. Although there were some challenges, such as chaos at Medina Sey Kunda Bantaba at Sinchu Alagie Polling Station in the Old Yundum constituency as a result of voter inducements by party agents which prompted the polling officials to delay the voting process for up to two-hours,” he concluded.
