CA Party Leader
By Buba Gagigo
Citizens’ Alliance [CA] party is angered and disappointed by non-registration of Diaspora for the 4th December presidential election.
“Most importantly with the registration. It is disheartening, we are disappointed, we don’t have words to express our anger for the fact that the Diaspora is not giving the chance to register and vote for this upcoming election,” Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, the Secretary General and Party leader said.
He recalled his party calling on the Independent Electoral Commission to provide a road map for Diaspora voting.
“In 2018 we had a conference where we called the IEC, and I particularly told the IEC to provide a road map for Diaspora voting. Elections are no child play. You need capacity, you need to prepare and plan well. If you want a Diaspora vote that should have been started three years ago, prepare a road map on how the Diaspora will vote but you cannot wait until six months and you want the Diaspora to vote,” Dr Ceesay recalled.
However, he said they are still looking for ways to engage the authorities concerned for any breakthrough.
“We are still pausing ways to see how we can engage the IEC and the Government to see whether is still a chance of slim hope for Diaspora to vote” He said
On the voter registration, the CA leader urged the commission to extend the period beyond 11th July, citing some challenges, which it said delayed the processing of the cards.
“Time frame also I think is short. We are urging and strongly the IEC to extend the window of registration beyond 11th July. Is not possible to register all those who want to register within this short period. We already have challenges in terms of long queues and we also have reports that in some areas, the machines are affected by high temperature. So these are all challenges,” He said.
The party Leader and secretary General of Citizens’ Alliance, an opposition political Party in the Gambia, made these remarks at a press conference held on Friday in Kanifing.