By Alhagie Jobe
The standard bearer of the opposition coalition in The Gambia has said that incumbent President Yahya Jammeh is already defeated in the upcoming December 1st presidential elections.
Adama Barrow was speaking at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on Wednesday, where he was accompanied by coalition leaders and thousands of supporter to submitted his nomination papers to stand for the forthcoming elections against incumbent Yahya Jammeh who is seeking a fifth term.
With the massive number of supporters who accompanied him to the Election House, Mr Barrow’s nomination is seen as a moral boost for a coalition and for Gambia to make changes in this coming poll.
Submitting his papers to the IEC, Barrow urged the electoral commission to be neutral in the process to ensure free and fair elections in which the results will be easily accepted by all.
“You are expected to be independent; if you are independent, it will make a better Gambia. If you are independent, it will make it easy to accept the results. We will maintain peace and stability and we will respect the rights of each and every Gambian likes” Barrow told IEC Chairman.
Speaking to waiting journalists after his submission, Barrow confidently re-emphasized that the incumbent Yahya Jammeh is already defeated. He said he has the backing of well experience politicians in the country.
He also commended the rest of the his colleagues for choosing him as the flag bearer and called them his ‘generals’ as they have sacrificed a lot for them to come together and challenge the incumbent come December.
Meanwhile, Alieu Momarr Njai, IEC Chairman told Barrow and delegation that the IEC will ensured a free and fair elections. He received the coalition’s submitted nominated papers saying “the documents submitted will be subject to scrutiny. That is the law”.
He reiterated that the elections cannot be rigged assuring that it will be free and fair. He said before voting starts, all the party agents will ensure that the polling booths are totally empty, seal in the present of party agents and representatives and after which nobody have the rights to enter the polling booth except the voter.
IEC vice chairman Malleh Sallah appealed to all stakeholders to maintain peaceful election saying at the end of the day, everybody that is involve in the process is for the interest and development of this country.
The coalition of parties is formed by the UDP, NRP, PPP, GMC, NCP, PDOIS and an Independent candidate.
