By Lamin Sanyang
Gambia is probably the only country in the subregion that does not screen academic qualifications for its National Assembly Members.
The Independent Electoral Commission IEC, the country’s electoral body has started issuing forms to the aspirant candidates toward nomination slated on the March 9-12, 2017.
The National Assembly is one of the highest institutions in the country. It is the legislative body of the government. They are the law makers.
Speaking to Commissioner Lamin Cham about the nomination of candidates at Election House in Bakau. He outlined that candidates must be a Gambian citizen. He added that candidates with dual citizenship are not qualify to contest.
“Candidates should be ordinary residents in the area they want to contest,” Commissioner Lamin Cham said.
Cham explained that candidates need to submit a nomination form filled by 300 voters in the constituency, adding that they should be at least 21 years old. He also mentioned that a deposit of fifty thousands for nomination is required.
“There is no academic qualifications. The person must be able to speak English with a level of proficiency in communication,” he pointed out.
Commissioner Cham further explained that a candidate is required to submit a sworn declaration of their assets. He said anyone who working and wants to contest in the election should apply leave of absence from their work, contestants must not be convicted of six months jailed term.
Meanwhile, the upcoming National Assembly election could be the toughest race in the history of the third republic. The coalition government needs an overwhelming majority to support their policies while the other opposition parties will fight tooth and nail to restrain the powers of the new government. There is already underground campaigns at the grassroots ahead of the official campaign period.
Political pundits have observed that the majority leader of the National Assembly would not come from the rainbow government. It is said that political parties are the ones to form majority and minority leaders instead of independent members. The irony is that the majority leader cannot harm or block anything without getting support from the majority of the members in the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, sources in the new government have disclosed the agreement between the inter party committee to revoke the deposit of fifty thousands for parliamentary nomination.
