By Sering Mass Jallow
Tombong Saidy, a senior executive member of the Unite Movement for Change (UMC), has clarified that the party’s registration has not been turned down by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), dismissing reports that the party failed to meet strict requirements under the Election Act.
The reports had sparked public debate and widespread speculation. However, Saidy rejected the claims, stressing that the IEC does not have the mandate to reject any party that meets the legal requirements for registration.
“The IEC did not turn us down, nor did they reject our application. They do not have the mandate to reject any party that fulfils the requirements for registration,” he said.
Saidy explained that the delay in registration of the party was due to administrative issues related to the party’s name. He noted that discrepancies arose between the party’s names submitted in different forms. While the intended name for registration was “Unite,” variations submitted by party members prompted the IEC to seek clarification.
“This was a primary issue that halted our registration. We were summoned by the IEC to provide clarification, and we are currently addressing it,” he stated.
He also highlighted another reason for the delay: the administrative area listed in the nomination documents. According to IEC requirements, a party must specify the administrative office rather than the broader region. “For instance, if a party is based in LRR, it should be formally submitted as Mansakonko,” Saidy explained.
He emphasized that these were minor lapses, which the party was swiftly addressing before resubmitting their application.
Saidy also dismissed public speculation that Mayor Bensouda’s delayed resignation from the UDP had affected the party’s registration, reiterating that the IEC has not objected in any way to UMC’s registration.