The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has conducted a two-day Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop, held on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January 2007.

Participants from different parts of the country gathered at the Gambia Telecommunications and Multimedia Institute (GTMI) for a rigorous training session, which aims to capacitate them for the forthcoming National Assembly elections.

Addressing the participants, Mr. Malleh Salleh, Vice-Chairnan of the IEC outined the importance of the training session and then noted that it will enable them to further train the polling staff despatched in various regions. "We all need to be aware of the fact that the training is important in the life of any institution since it is geared towards the development of knowledge, skill and attitud.

The objective is to effect learning which will eventually lead to improved performance while executing your election duties", he said.

The Vice-Chairman of the IEC also added: "The success of an election, such as the one we are about to undertake depends on the extent to which it is accepted by the participants in the political process. Consequently, our actions must comply with the Constitution and the Elections Decree."

In an attempt to provide an overview of the course, Joe Colley, Press Officer of the IEC, pointed out that the training session is part of IEC activities.

According to him, in the eve of any electoral rendez-vous, the IEC is used to embark on a training process of its polling officials in order to sharpen their skills.

He finally emphasised that the workshop focused on areas like conducting the poll, counting the ballots and other relating topic.