IEC Urges Parties To Hold Congress Latest 31st December

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has urged all registered political parties that are yet to hold their congress to do so latest 31^stDecember 2022, as required by the Elections (Amendment Act) 2015.

“I write to refer you to the Elections (Amendment Act) 2015 and to remind you that each and every political party registered with the Independent Electoral Commission is required by the said Act to conduct biennial congress. 

“It is in this light, I write to kindly remind all registered political parties that they are to hold their biennial congresses as required by law, latest 31^stDecember 2022,” IEC said in a letter to political parties yet to fulfil the requirement.

The missive signed by Joseph Colley as Ag. Chairman informed the parties to submit the list of their elected executive members to the IEC, latest 31st January 2023, after the conduct of their congress.

The letter dated 22^nd August told the concerned political parties to inform the Independent Electoral Commission, in writing, the date, time and venue for their congress for attendance and observation purposes.

“…all political parties are hereby informed to provide the addresses of their party regional bureaux to the IEC latest 31^st January 2023; as IEC teams of inspectors will be dispatched by the IEC to embark on a countrywide inspection of all Party Regional Secretariat (Regional Bureau) of registered political parties to confirm their full compliance with the Elections (Amendment Act) (2015) in fulfilling their legal obligation of establishing Regional Secretariat/Bureaux in all administrative regions of the Republic of The Gambia,” the IEC said.

The communication reminded all political parties to submit their yearly Audited Accounts to The Commission, as per the law.

“Political parties’ audited accounts should be submitted to the IEC not later than 31^st January 2023. Please be reminded that any political party found to be non-compliant with the country’s electoral laws and regulations shall be meted with necessary legal actions,” it stated.

Kerr Fatou is informed that the Independent Electoral Commission Chairman, Alieu Momarr Njai is on his annual leave, that is the reason the Vice Chairman, Joseph Colley presides over matters as the Ag. Chair.