The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), on Thursday, commenced a two-day training of its staff on records management, at GTMI in Kanifing.

The training is funded by the Donor Basket Fund and coordinated by UNDP. Speaking at the ceremony, Malleh Sallah, vice Chairman of the IEC,  said since the enactment of the National Records Services, remarkable success stories have been registered in records keeping and management throughout The Gambia. He added that it is common knowledge that effective records keeping add credit to their work as an election management body.

"The primary objective of the records keeping is to ensure that institutions like the IEC strictly conform to sound records management principles and procedures.  Among its objectives is “the timely disposal of records and preservation  archival materials of records with continuing value for use by both the present and future generations," he said. He further urged participants to take the training seriously so that they will be able to bring on board the new knowledge and skills they acquired to their office.

For her part, Elizabeth Bahoum-Mendy, director of National Records Service (NRS), said the training is geared towards building the capacity of electoral officers to effectively manage the information resource base of the institution; thus, enhance transparency in The Gambia. She said that the training will equip participants with the basic records management skills necessary to promote effectiveness, efficiency and professionalism, in the discharge of these responsibilities.

According to her, reliable and accurate records are fundamental requirements for accountability, good governance and democracy and must be made accessible whenever needed. "Without accurate and accessible records, it would be virtually impossible to conduct and supervise the registration of electors, conduct free and fair elections and registration of political parties," she concluded.