The results of the just concluded January 25th National Assembly elections having now been made public, the Civil Society Organisation, one of the central players in charge of the very important function of observing the conduct of the polls, have issued a preliminary statement on the elections. We reproduce below an unedited version of the statement:

The Civil Society Organization on Elections – The Gambia is a homegrown national platform established to facilitate civil participation in democracy. Our principal objective is to promote civic awareness, peace-building, good governance, and human rights; which are fundamental in present day social development.

The coalition presently has a membership of 20 organizations and first participated in observing elections in September 2006 i.e. the Presidential Elections. In the light of the above, the Coalition deployed one hundred and twenty (120) members country wide to observe the National Assembly Elections.

With funding and support from the US Embassy and UNDP in The Gambia, the CSO Coalition developed instruments focusing on the election process, such as, opening of polling, voting, closing and counting used to generate empirical data on the entire process country wide. The team of observers converged on the 26th January 2007 for a debriefing session. The following observations on The National Assembly Elections on 25th January 2007 are:

1.Opening of Polls

In most places, it was observed that the presiding officers were cooperative, and most polling stations were well located and ensured secret voting. Security personnel were found to be helpful and active in many places.

2.The Voting process

The voting process was, in general, peaceful and orderly throughout the country. Security was adequate and of particular commendation is the fact that there were volunteers, notably from the Boy Scouts who provided assistance to voters in directing them to their appropriate stations. The Boy Scouts also provided drinking water to voters in queues especially in Kombo south.

3.Closing of polls

By and large, voting in nearly all the polling stations closed at the stipulated time.

4.Counting process

The counting process was generally smooth and the lighting system for most counting centers was adequate. Security was also adequately provided. It was noted that some opposing candidates did embrace and share pleasantries with each other after the announcement of results.

* Concerns

Having noted the various aspects of the election process, the Coalition has also observed the following issues of concern in various parts of the country:

2.Our observers have noticed a general low voter turn-out in all voting centres throughout the country.

3.In most places (65%), it was observed that polling stations did not open at the stipulated time of 0700hrs. Polling staff including party agents came on average 30 minutes late, and found voters already formed into queues.

4.Basic procedures were not applied at the opening and closing of polls. These included no re-counting of tokens at opening and in some cases party agents did not participate in sealing of ballot drums after polls 5.Party agents had no register in some places 6.In certain polling stations, chaotic atmosphere between the presiding officer and the polling officers existed. It appears polling officers were not adequately trained 7.There was shortage of polling officers 8.Some drums have small holes that cannot allow a token in and that delayed voting in such places.

9.In certain polling stations some voter names were not found in the list

10.Access to voting booths by persons with disabilities was difficult

11.The location of some polling booths was observed to be inappropriate, for example in mosques where you cannot keep people away if they have to pray.

12.Some polling stations did not fulfill strict secrecy as people in polling booths can be seen from outside

13.The colour of shirts given to observers was not appropriate, especially where independent candidates were contesting. It exposed some observers to harassment.

14.Militants and supporters of a certain political party entered polling stations in various parts of the country in their party gears, in some cases with campaign vehicles

* CSO general opinion

In the light of the above observations, the CSO Coalition is of the opinion that the 25th January 2007 National Assembly Elections in the Gambia were free and fair and the results reflect the undiluted choice of the people. We have noticed no systematic use of force or coercion; neither did we observe instances of obstructing voters in exercising their civic duties and rights to elect their representatives.

The Coalition however notes that there is still room for improvement in the electoral system of the country. We need to develop and observe internationally accepted standards and procedures which should include creating an informed populace and transparency in the conduct of elections.

* Recommendations:

In the light of the issues raised above, we wish to offer the following suggestions: 1.Given the low voter turn-out, there is need to develop and put in place a comprehensive national civic and voter education programme which should also target schools. The use of the media, especially the public media, i.e. GRTS should be intensified;

2. The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), as the national agency for civic education, needs to be strengthened and empowered to effectively conduct civic education on a continuous basis throughout the country. In this regard civil society should give back up to the NCCE, as well as play a more proactive role in civic activities as way to generate public interest and participation in national affairs.

3. There is a need for a national debate on the issue of low voter turn-out as witnessed in recent elections, which in our opinion does not augur well for our democracy. Democracy can only be meaningful if there is informed popular participation in national affairs.
Gambians have to be given the reasons and the benefits as why they should vote, if we are going to ensure good and inclusive governance and development. In this regard the CSO Coalition suggests, in an attempt to increase voter turn-out, that a study be undertaken to find out why citizens are not coming out to vote.

4. Political parties have to exercise democratic best practices in identifying candidates which have the support of the people, as well as engage in voter education; 5. There is need to provide adequate training for party agents and security personnel on their roles and responsibilities on Election Day.

6. The National Assembly need to be made relevant and responsive to national needs and aspirations as required by the Constitution, as well as seen to be an independent oversight national institution;

7. National Assembly Members have to play the role that is required of them according to the Constitution by maintaining their allegiance first and foremost to the people of the Gambia than to their respective parties in matters concerning the destiny of The Gambia.

8. There should be a manifest distinction between the three parts of the State, i.e. the Executive, The Legislature and the Judiciary in order to engender popular confidence and consequently participation in national affairs such as elections.

9. The Coalition holds the view that there should still be elections in constituencies that have unopposed candidates. The mere fact that a candidate does not have a challenger does not necessarily mean that one has the undiluted support of the majority of the people.

Thus to put democracy to play, it is essential that in such constituencies, IEC goes ahead to conduct elections there to determine the election of the unopposed candidates by the amount of votes they receive.

Issued by the CSO Coalition on Elections – The Gambia on 27th January 2007 at Kairaba Beach Hotel.