The Inspector-General of Police have rejected a request for permit to peacefully protest against the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) by the Gambia For 5 Years and Peace-Building group.
This is in direct response to several allegations of intimidation and unprofessionalism against the institutions Chief Electoral Officer Samboujang Njie.
In his response, the IGP stated that,
“This office writes to inform you that your request cannot be met at the moment due to the following reasons: The current political environment is filled with a lot of political activities (campaigns) ongoing with few days before the elections thus, it is not fitting to hold a march past against the body responsible to elections in the country.
“Secondly, the Gambia Police Force has made strategic deployments across the country in a bid to ensure peaceful conduct of elections (before, during and after) and does not intend to issue any permit for such gathering that may compromise the security of the country.”
In response Ebrima Soribah the group’s president noted that they have accepted the police decision “in good faith” but, will now hold a press briefing on the matter.
