By Alhagie Jobe
The chief of the Gambia’s electoral body – the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has urged journalists to report fairly on all candidates during elections campaign and avoid biased and unprofessional behavior.
He also implored on media practitioners to adhere to professional standards of accuracy and impartiality when reporting election activities.
Alieu Momar Njai was speaking on Wednesday, February 22, at the Tango Conference hall during the opening of a two-day training for journalists and civil society organizations on their roles and responsibilities in the election process.
The IEC boss acknowledged the crucial role played by journalists in the recent presidential election saying the media had acted as a watch dog of the IEC. He insisted that the electoral body will ever remain fair and act accordingly without favor to anyone.
Under the chairmanship of Mr Njai, the recent election in The Gambia ended the 22 year rule of former Dictator Yahya Jammeh after several attempts to stay in power. After losing, Mr Jammeh conceded, later reversed his decision plunging the country into a political impasse that ended finally ended and left the long time ruler gone into exile in Equatorial Guinea.
The IEC boss said the media is one of the most powerful influences on elections and therefore has a huge stake in ensuring its success.
He stressed that all candidates must have equal rights to campaign without interference especially when it comes to the usage of the public media.
It could be recalled that Chairman Njai after declaring the result of December 1 presidential elections fled the country to neighboring Senegal because of threats made on his life.
