The University of The Gambia Students’ Union Judicial Tribunal has upheld the results of the 2020 student union elections.
A political impasse erupted shortly after the elections were held a few weeks ago. It saw the Kemo Fatty-led camp claim the election was marred by fraud.
The JT however on Thursday upheld the election results paving the way for the winner of the election, Ousman Jassey and his team to take office.
Writing on Thursday after the JT’s decision, Jassey who is known among student circles are Gambia’s version of Kenya’s PLO Lumumba said: “Even though it was apparent that the strength of the case of the petitioners can’t move a scale – that we knew from the outset that they had no case to challenge the results of the election held on the 22nd October 2020, but we respected and recognized that it was their constitutional right .
“Aside that , let me express my appreciation to our team of astute Counsels- ( Momodou S. Dem , Bakary Touray , Godson and Ellen Ann) that represented us at the Tribunal. These people are not only outstanding law students with the right legal aptitude and acumen , but they are as well students who are well acquainted with legal issues both in procedure and substance .
“Special appreciation to the UTG Electoral Commission for defending the integrity of the election . Despite all inconveniences and obstacles that frustrated the conduct of the election earlier this year , the Commission has been working extremely very hard to stage the election using all means possible — from online voting plans to online convention etc .
“Lastly , to my contender , Mr. Kemo Fatty and the team , although we received no congratulatory message from them ,but we still look forward to working with them . We are not as divided as our heated politics suggested . We are not enemies but rather opponents . I believe together we can work to meet the challenges of the students .
“The time for politics is over . The stakes are too high . We have a lot more work to do than to imprison ourselves dramatizing the trivialities of the past.”
