Many a times, Africans are bothered with talk about the model of democracy that exists in the West. Nowhere is this more pronounced than in the American media, where journalists busy themselves painting their model as the only viable path to peace and progress.

But any true and sincere person who has watched the manner in which political events have been unfolding in the country’s democratic governance system in the past few years will give a big thumb-up to the giant strides made by The Gambia.

During this period, developments hitherto unknown in the country’s political evolution have taken place. The space in our political system has been opened to accommodate multi-party democracy, where political parties and media institutions have been allowed to participate, thereby giving Gambians the opportunity to access objective and diverse information at necessary and relevant times.

The most laudable development among them is the establishment of an independent democratic institution, such as the IEC, which is constitutionally mandated to oversee issues pertaining to national elections.

Unlike what obtained in the past, the establishment of this national institution has ushered in and consolidated into the country’s electoral system confidence and trust. No wonder this model of the country’s electoral system has continued to generate both local and international recognition.

All these developments have created the necessary conduit for the population to make political choices in a mature manner devoid of intimidation or interference.

As Gambians went to the polls to cast their votes for councilors and mayoral candidates – a mammoth achievement ushered in by the current dispensation - one thing was apparent; the peaceful manner in which the elections were conducted. Gambians, including the government and its security should be commended for the peacefulness of yesterday’s local government elections, which is only typical of our international reputation as a superpower of peace in the world.

Despite the political divides, Gambians went to the polls to vote peacefully - at a time when some countries in the African continent are gripped by an orgy of fatal political violence.

Even though this is nothing new, it accentuates the country’s position as a superpower of peace. Consequently, it would be fitting for one to assert the fact that this unity in purpose must transcend beyond politicking time. As the president has often said, there is time for politics and for partaking in national development.

We wish to remind party militants of various political divides to nurture the common ideals that have been uniting Gambian people together. Violence and public disturbance must not be allowed to dampen our peaceful and democratic credentials as a shining role model country in the comity of nations.

Lets rejoice at the outcome of the elections in an atmosphere of peace and go all the way out to repair the differences that had briefly kept us apart during the campaign period.