By Sarjo Brito, Niamina CRR
The Gambia Democratic Congress candidate contesting the Niamina West National Assembly by-elections has said he is concerned over the independence of the Independent Electoral Commission, IEC.
Speaking to the media shortly after casting his vote at Sambang Village on Saturday as voting got underway, Jallow expressed his disappointment with the electoral body after they allegedly allowed the NPP to continue with their campaign until late last night. Jallow said this was clearly a violation of IEC campaign laws.
He said: “I am a little bit disappointed with the IEC. They said campaign should have stopped on the 5th, but we had information yesterday that the NPP was going around campaigning during the night. I called the IEC CEO Mr Sambujang and gave him the report.
“His response was that they cannot stop them. They are only stopping the usage of PA system. I told him that the electoral body does not understand what it put on paper then because all parties according to the electoral act, must refrain from campaigning a day before elections.
“We respected the law and stayed home but they allowed the NPP to do what they want. In fact, Sambujang was harsh on me on the phone because I insisted that they are allowing NPP to break the law.”
The GDC and NPP lock horns today in Niamina for the Niamina West parliamentary seat following the demise of the late Honourable Demba Sowe who represented the constituency under a GDC ticket.
