By: Sering Mass Jallow
The Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe has leveled scathing criticisms against Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for its stance on UNITE movement and its proposed congress.
Lowe, who is also an executive member of the United Democratic Party (UDP), criticized the decision by the Chairman of IEC, Joseph Colley to halt the UNITE movement’s planned maiden national congress.
In a statement issued out recently, she questioned the timing and basis of the decision, noting that some political movements, which were not registered political parties, have been engaging in activities similar to those of political parties.
“I recall you warned political movements acting like parties. Yet for months or even years, some of the same movements are acting like parties and operating freely around the country,” she remarked to the IEC Chair.
According to her, some of these movements have held meetings with registered political parties, engaged in discussions on coalitions, maintained regional offices, distributed political materials, and organized regional congresses.
Lowe also questioned whether any formal warnings had been issued to such movements prior to the IEC’s latest decision. “To the best of my knowledge, no formal warning was ever issued to those parties until now. Why today?” she asked.
She described the decision to prevent the UNITE movement from holding its congress as unclear and called for greater transparency from the electoral body.
“What we need from the IEC is clarity, transparency and consistency. Anything short of that is selective enforcement,” she said.
The UNITE movement, which has recently gained attention on the country’s political scene, has faced regulatory scrutiny from the IEC regarding its political activities, including its attempt to convene a national congress.
