Dear Editor,
This rejoiner follows on the footsteps of an interview Omar Batchilly, a former executive member of GDC political party had with an online publication pertaining to his time, role and financial activities of its leader, Mama Kandeh. If those reports are found to be credible and true, it is incumbent upon the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to investigate and establish if financial malpractice took place. In its legal framework under the provisions of Gambian law, the statute clearly (or it should) spell out not just the role of political parties and how they go about articulating and aggregating electoral support – but their financial conduct too. Clear rules and regulations and monitoring mechanisms should have been in place whereby post elections all political parties must publish their financial reports to the IEC – For instance, how much money they had raised, from what source(s) and how they went about spending those funds during campaign season – producing receipts as evidence. In addition to this, all registered political parties in the country are to publish such accounts on an annual basis in an elaborate push to maximise and consolidate democracy gains.
According to Mr Batchilly, Kandeh lacks leadership transparency, further bemoaning the absence of transparency in terms of GDC finances. He also claimed to have hand-delivered cash amounting to several thousands to the party leader collected from donations. But the issue which irritates most and of course extremely concerning was the fact that amidst the millions from unknown sources – GDC never had a bank account. And since all collections are deposited in the hands of the party leader – that is a redflag demanding clarity. Questions will be asked, what is Kandeh’s main source of income since he has no professional job, nor a rich man. How is he managing to sustain a fairly luxurious lifestyle maintaining three (3) wives and children for an unemployed politician. What are the other sources of money claimed to be over half a million (D500,000) worth of projects he is said to have donated to his support base in the provinces.
From a personal standpoint, I never trust the man since his ascension on the scene. Because, questions soon emerged about his connections to the then Yaya Jammeh and APRC machinations sic. The object of my disaffection was further compounded when GDC copied and Plagiarise a Politico-economic blueprint I had authored in their manifesto without consent prior to the 2016 general election. That was intellectually dishonest but one let it go. For measure – Kandeh never raised voice about the dead bodies being exhumed and such barbaric crimes under APRC, yet found time blaming the government on the Kanilai and Foni criminals still living the past. My view is for President Barrow to keep distance further away from him. And to ignore the noise – sharing a stage with Kandeh will only make him look presidential, further milking the spotlight. The diaspora never warmed up to the man either – a smart constituency abroad seeing right into the actions and intentions of domestic politicians through a collection of methods and reasoning.
Folks, do not misconstrue this assignment as negative, rather a plus, in that if our desire is to instil legitimacy and transparency in our politics, the aspirants to such noble offices ought to be seen with clean hands, and be open to institutional & media scrutiny. The IEC has got to set up clearer rules on foreign entities and businessmen donating to political parties. Serious questions remain if the IEC had done this and if in fact the electoral body is fulfilling its oversight duties pertaining to campaign finance propriety. And as the constitution goes about the amendment process – I urge parliament to set a limit and bar on all political parties in that – Presidential electoral campaigns are to be staged no more than four (4) week, and each contesting party is to spend no more than three million dalasis (D3,000,000) during this heightened period in advertising, promotions, and such good electioneering aggregation tactics. Parliamentary polls are to be staged simultaneously in order to save tax payers money. Local government and mayoral elections to be staged a further two years down the line in a deliberate drive creating leverage in our politics further down the chain. However, this calls for an overhaul of the entire local government super-structure & the devolution powers Act for a smooth and effective delivery of services at the city, town and village levels in local communities.
Gibril Saine, LONDON.
