IEC Clarifies Voter Registration Postponement

15 hours ago Yaya Dampha ALIEU MOMAR NJIE IS NOT DEAD About 30... - Gambian Talents Promotion | Facebook IEC CLEARS AIR ON POSTPONEMENT OF GENRAL VOTER REGISTRATION The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has issued a statement indicating the reason behind the postponement of the commencement of the General Registration of Voters which was slated on the 14th of January to 26th of February 2021. It is stated in the statement that IEC has been hindered by the lack of clearance from the GPPA which is required before the release of funds by the Ministry of Finance. The electoral body further stated that failure in obtaining clearance from GPPA posted some logistical challenges relating to the procurement of materials and equipment needed for the successful conduct of the Voter Registration.However, IEC, in a statement signed bythe commission,s chairman Alieu Momarr Njai, assured Gambians that the delay in conducting the Voters Registration Exercise would not affect the electoral calendar as there is still room to conduct the exercise on time according to the released. It could be recalled earlier in October 2020, GPPA warned that IEC’s plan to go against its advice to contract a Canadian Company with the supply of electoral materials and issuance of voters cards will be ‘illegal’ and a complete disregard of the procurement act.However, the Electoral Commission contracted this year’s voter registration and supply of election materials to Electoral Service International (ESI) despite the GPPA’s refusal to approve the proposal. ESI was competing with Dermalog, a German company, Ekemp, a Chinese company, and Smart business group, a Gambian company’.