As part of a series of nationwide consultative meetings on the forthcoming Local Government Election, slated for 24th January 2008, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), in collaboration with the UNDP, held three workshops on the electoral processes.

During the course of the workshops, participants including the politicians and the national security personnel discussed pertinent issues on the theme: Strengthening electoral process in The Gambia.

In her welcome remarks at Baoba Bolong at Janjangbureh in Central River Region, Sareh Grey-Johnson, IEC Commissioner responsible for Communication Division, said the country’s electoral commission has carried out major elections and by-elections.

Ms Grey-Johnson recalled that in 1996 Presidential elections, over 90% registered voters casted their votes. However, she disclosed that this percentage has been dwindling significantly to less than 70% for the past 10 years later. She then implored the electorate to exercise their right to vote.

According to her, IEC has been receiving tremendous support from the government under the leadership of President Yahya Jammeh, the UNDP, governments of Taiwan, United Kingdom and the United States to conduct elections.

Ganjie Touray, Governor of Central River Region, said this was the first time since key stakeholders were engaged in pre-election consultation in the Second Republic.

Governor Touray informed the ceremony that the IEC has registered a host of successes in the implementation of its programmes, noting that the outcomes of the elections have been winning acclaims from international observers.

“The decentralisation of IEC regional offices has greatly improved the efficient and effectiveness of the Commission’s activities,” he added.

He expressed hope that the consultative fora will increase awareness on the electoral process and clear all doubts and misconceptions about the IEC, as the discussions were done in a frank and free atmosphere.

In his opening statement, Alhaji Mustapha Carayol, Chairman of IEC, told the gathering that the Commission was established in accordance with Section 42 of the Constitution of The Gambia. “Sections 43 and 50 of the same Constitution set out the main functions of the Commission, the conduct and supervision of the registration of voters for all public elections, among others,” he explained.

Chairman Carayol called on the need to strengthen the understanding and participation of the people in the election process.

Other speakers at the ceremony included Vitalie, who represented the UNDP, and Joseph Colley, Director of Training and Communication at the IEC.

The three consultative meetings were held at Kairaba Beach Hotel for Banjul City Council, Kanifing Municipal Council and Western; Lower River Region and North Bank Region at Tendaba; and Bao Bab Bolong for Central River Region and Upper River Region,  respectively.

The meeting in Janjangbureh was attended by representatives from the British High Commissioner and the US Embassy in Banjul.