Letter To The Editor On The Election Bill 2021

Anonimous Writer The Election Bill 2021 is a broad and comprehensive legal framework addressing multiple aspects of the electoral process, not just DIASPORA voting. Misrepresenting its scope for political gain only fuels misinformation and unnecessary division. Please don’t make fools of yourself my fellow Diasporanas One must have a good understanding of the bill presented to the NAMs before going out with insane accusations and finger pointing at the NPP and NRP. Quel dommage!!! What some uncouth opposition UDP bravados are doing is to hypocritically as always, seize the moment, politicize this opportunity, brainwash those who only blow hot stuff without giving meaningful dialogue a chance. The bill is larger in context, and not only so much about DIASPORA VOTING; it’s much more than that - It is about our overall electioneering process. Diaspora voting is just a minor part of it. In the grand scheme of things, no one would have concluded with the assertion that, one of the most progressive and Democratic Party in the world (NPP) would be bent on expunging the Diaspora from our election process. Remember that His Excellency President Alhagi Adama Juma Mamudou Barrow was the first in Presidency to recognize the Diaspora and an equal region in all things Gambian. Only a person set on hate and rumor mongering will either give us a bad characterization by going this low. These silly things like Hon Yahya Mentending Sanneh and the Honorable Madi Ceesay - brilliant extortionists are good at nothing but forgery, thugary, and dishonesty. Ceesay’s write ups on his social media platforms about us are just despicable and as an honorable, he must be held accountable for his penchant to misled. We must not allow the offices of such elevation to be use to misinform, mislead the constituents to grossly satisfy their putative egos. Quel dommage encore! I have had the opportunity to seek and had spoken to some senior members of the National Assembly, and in as much I want the Diaspora voting, I learn a thing or two in the context of fairness after the engagement. The NPP is never against any Diaspora voting, and anyone -oblong dry fish tiny in mind and body who wants to try us, please bring it on. We will whoop you to the curb “san doubt”!!! The social media palaver is a deviation from what is on the ground. The UDP and their nonsensical cohorts with their penchant for dishonesty are disproportionately blowing things out of order. Instead of bringing you issues of pertinence around this conversation, some opposition members especially a failed party and their leader chose to weaponize the issue for political gain. The ELECTION BILL addressed the issue of voting - with emphasis on Clause 12, 13,and 14. Mind you it ain’t a Diaspora Bill. Most specifically in Clause 14, this is what has been invoked. “14. Registration of Gambians living abroad (1) The Commission shall register a Gambian living outside The Gambia as a voter if he or she satisfies the requirements for registration prescribed under this Act. (2) The Commission shall in consultation with the Inter-Party Committee and Cabinet, prescribe detailed Rules for the registration and voting of Gambians living outside The Gambia to vote in Presidential elections, referenda or any other elections as determined by the Constitution or any other law. (3) The Rules made by the Commission under sub-section (2) shall specify – (a) the criteria for the selection of foreign countires where elections are to be conducted; and (b) the appointment of election officers and the conduct of elections.

Let us follow these clauses, and do things right. It’s important to know how, when, cost, and where before plunging our selves into something we can’t handle. The reality is that voting rights for the diaspora is not a new topic, and both sides of the political spectrum have, at different times, expressed support for it. However, the practical implementation—how, when, and under what conditions it would be rolled out—was always going to be a complex matter requiring careful planning, financial considerations, and legal clarity. This is what the Madi Ceesays are not telling you. 1. How prepared are we to get all the Diasporans registered under constituencies of their origins, living in different countries, different regions, different cities and towns? Imagine Banjulians, folks from Brikama’s, from Badibu spread across cities and towns across Europe and Americas. How do we get everyone to vote? 2. ⁠What the opposition UDP is not telling you, and you can do yourself a favor through enquiries, is that, they were pushing on what is inconsistent with the electoral laws just to earn themselves the convenience at the expense of the nation. Some of them - the UDP Assembly members wants to give the Diaspora to vote via paper ballots whilst the rest of us use marbles. It’s unconstitutional and unfair. The above plus many other slick scams UDP wants to bring were the reasons amongst others resulting in the derailment of the process! Blaming NPP and NRP NAMs exclusively, ignores the broader dynamics at play. Some of those crying foul now have previously been silent when similar proposals faced challenges. They were quiet about the age limit to favor few people. Their selective outrage exposes a deeper problem—political opportunism disguised as advocacy. Nonesense! Instead of turning the diaspora voting issue into a divisive political game, a more constructive approach would be to revisit the bill with proper stakeholder engagement, ensuring that the concerns of all parties are addressed. That is the only way to secure a fair and sustainable solution, rather than using it as a tool for political point-scoring. No one is more Diaspora than this author - being there and done that. But we cannot save the rod and spare these fools trying to cause us bad names. The NPP and our allies wants to give every Gambian to express their constitutional rights, and it starts with bringing you an election bill fair and balance so that we all can see ourselves in the equation. The work continues, more readings, and please keep your eyes open, and ignore the foolishness. June is another interesting month, and we shall come out with the best. May God guide us, our kind able leader, and our NAMs for standing up against these loudies!