By: Fatou Krubally
A junior councillor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), MC Cham, has urged the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to exercise caution in carrying out its mandate, warning that efforts to regulate elections must not infringe on citizens’ constitutional right to organise and participate in political life.
Cham said the IEC plays a critical role in safeguarding democracy by ensuring that elections are conducted in a free, fair, and lawful manner. However, he stressed that the Commission must clearly distinguish between regulating the electoral process and restricting political activity.
According to him, while it is within the IEC’s authority to ensure that political groups meet legal requirements before contesting elections, such powers should not be extended to limit citizens from assembling, consulting, or forming political movements.
He noted that democratic rights, including freedom of association and political participation, are fundamental and should not be treated as privileges subject to approval. “People have the right to meet, organise, and discuss their political future. These rights exist independently of registration,” Cham emphasised.
The councillor further explained that many political parties emerge through gradual processes involving meetings, consultations, and internal organisation, long before formal registration is completed. Preventing such activities, he warned, could weaken the very foundation of democracy.
Cham maintained that the IEC’s primary responsibility is to oversee electoral procedures such as party registration, nominations, campaigning, and voting, rather than to control political expression or association.
He acknowledged that only registered political parties should be allowed to contest elections and appear on the ballot. However, he argued that this requirement should not be interpreted in a way that denies unregistered groups the space to organise peacefully.
Cham called on the IEC to strike a careful balance between enforcing the law and protecting citizens’ freedoms, noting that democracy extended beyond election day. He urged the commission to remain a neutral referee of the electoral process while respecting the rights of citizens to organise and engage in political
By: Fatou Krubally
A junior councillor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), MC Cham, has urged the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to exercise caution in carrying out its mandate, warning that efforts to regulate elections must not infringe on citizens’ constitutional right to organise and participate in political life.
Cham said the IEC plays a critical role in safeguarding democracy by ensuring that elections are conducted in a free, fair, and lawful manner. However, he stressed that the Commission must clearly distinguish between regulating the electoral process and restricting political activity.
According to him, while it is within the IEC’s authority to ensure that political groups meet legal requirements before contesting elections, such powers should not be extended to limit citizens from assembling, consulting, or forming political movements.
He noted that democratic rights, including freedom of association and political participation, are fundamental and should not be treated as privileges subject to approval. “People have the right to meet, organise, and discuss their political future. These rights exist independently of registration,” Cham emphasised.
The councillor further explained that many political parties emerge through gradual processes involving meetings, consultations, and internal organisation, long before formal registration is completed. Preventing such activities, he warned, could weaken the very foundation of democracy.
Cham maintained that the IEC’s primary responsibility is to oversee electoral procedures such as party registration, nominations, campaigning, and voting, rather than to control political expression or association.
He acknowledged that only registered political parties should be allowed to contest elections and appear on the ballot. However, he argued that this requirement should not be interpreted in a way that denies unregistered groups the space to organise peacefully.
Cham called on the IEC to strike a careful balance between enforcing the law and protecting citizens’ freedoms, noting that democracy extended beyond election day. He urged the commission to remain a neutral referee of the electoral process while respecting the rights of citizens to organise and engage in political.