The most basic of definitions of the term ‘democracy’ is ‘government of the people, by the people and for the people.’ Any other definition of the same term can only be seen as mere attempt to either suit a particular ideology or to totally eclipse the very idea that the concept stands for. In either case, it will have the potential to serve as nothing less than a recipe for popular outcry.

Ours being a representative democracy, elected representatives carry with them our voices of concern. By voting for them, we are lending them the mandate to represent and speak for us. This explains how important all elections are, and more so the forthcoming local government elections.

Gambians are by no means ignorant of this fact. Through a thorough analysis of the just concluded nomination process for council elections, one is inclined to grasp a better explanation for this assertion. Out of the 114 wards up for grabs by the various political parties and any interested independent candidates, 53 have already gracefully gone, unopposed, to APRC. This is tantamount to a total endorsement of the party’s choice.

Given the conducive political atmosphere, doesn’t this suggest something? Well, if we go by our popular definition of democracy, then the people of almost half of the total wards across the country feel they do not need any election process to guide them as to who should run their affairs.

In effect, they are only repeating the golden fact that idealism (which is what the alternative political parties have on offer) has absolutely no place in the contemporary political arena. They have seen what politics based on realism can offer, so they are not going to take any chance.

Furthermore, in many cases, changes can be costly for the people. So, it is another way of saying ‘we want a continuation of progressing projects.’ Apparently, with APRC candidates at the helm, the people are not only assured of the continuation of the numerous ongoing projects, but fresh meaningful ones are also certain to follow suit.

This has in fact been adequately highlighted by both Samba Faal and Yankuba Colley, the indomitable aspiring APRC mayoral candidates. The records of these people speak for themselves. The same thing is true of all the councillors vying under APRC tickets.