Nominations for the forthcoming National Assembly elections closed on Saturday, with the IEC confirming the nominations of more opposition candidates to contest the elections, scheduled for January 25.

Kanifing Municipality

by Buya Jammeh & Salifu M Touray

Mr Abdoulie Jeng, IEC Returning Officer for the Kanifing Municipality, on Saturday confirmed the nominations of five UDP/NRP and one independent candidate to contest for the National Assembly elections, slated for 25, January 2007.

The five selected candidates for UDP/NRP were Baboucarr K Nyang for Serekunda West, Alhagie Fatty for Serekunda Central, Bunam Bass Konjira for Serekunda East, Famara Bojang for Bakau and Junkungba Dukuray for Jeshwang constituencies. One Modou I Cham, was nominated as an independent candidate for Jeshwang constituency.

All the candidates vowed to the Daily Observer that they will win the elections. They advised their supporters to be law abiding and peaceful throughout the campaign period.

North Bank Region

by Sheriff Janko In the North Bank Region (NBR), the IEC Regional Office, confirmed the nominations of 10 candidates. The opposition UDP/NRP alliance fielded in seven candidates and there were people who are contesting as independent candidates.

The UDP/NRP candidates were Sait Abdoulie Joof for Jokadu, Babou Kebbeh for Lower Nuimi, Ebrima K Sonko for Upper Nuimi, Kebba F Singnhateh for Lower Baddibou, Alassan FK Ceesay for Central Baddibou, Kebba L Jammeh, Illiassa, Fafanding Saidy for Sabach Sanjal constituencies.

The three nominated independent candidates were Alagie SM Secka for Sabach Sanjal, Ousainou BA Joof for Jokadou and Ebrima AO Samba for Illiassa constituencies.

In an interview with the Daily Observer shortly after the nominations, Gibril Jallow, IEC Returning Officer for NBR, said all the contesting candidate and their coordinators have been invited to a general meeting from the 8th-9th January 2007, where issues relating to the campaign would be discussed.

Central River Region

by Assan Sallah

In the Central River Region, the UDP/NRP alliance fielded in Kabba Yirra Manneh for Janjanbureh, Lamin Ceesay for Sami, Samba Baldeh for Niamina East, Amadou Sanneh for Upper Fulladu West, Samba MJ Jallow for Niamina Dankunku, Alagie AS Boye for Lower Fulladu West, Hamat NK Bah for Upper Saloum, Omar S Ceesay for Lower Saloum and Abdoulie Jallow for Nianija.

Three independent candidates comprising Ebrima F Drammeh for Niani,

Ebrima LS Marena for Niamina East, and Alagie SB Sillah for Naini, also had their nominations accepted to contest for the respective seats.

Sarah Grey Johnson, IEC Returining Officer for CRR, said the nine UDP/NRP candidates and the three independent candidates have met the requirements to compete in the elections.

Upper River Region

by Abdourahman Sallah

In the Upper Rive Region, the IEC Regional Office confirmed the nomination of three opposition candidates of the UDP/NRP alliance. There were Tumana Alfusainey for Jawara, Adama Barrow for Jimara and Muhammed Saiba Sanyang for Basse.

All the candidates pointed out that they will win the election, noting that they have a lot of development plans for their constituencies.

The IEC Returining Officer for the region, Alieu Momar Njai, said the three candidates have fulfilled the requirements. He told the Daily Observer that all the candidates have been urged to be law abiding.

Western Region

by Sheriff Barry

In Western Region, four candidates, comprising Lamin R Darboe for Kombo East, Ismaila Sanneh for Kombo North, Alassan Bojang for Kombo South and Ousman GA Kebbeh for Kombo Central, were comfirmed to run for the elections.

All four candidates vowed to win the elections on January 25. However, there was no UDP/ NRP candidate for the whole of Fonis.

Banjul

by Maritou Ngum

In Banjul Central, the UDP/ NRP alliance nominated Ebrima AB Njie (Pesseh) for Banjul Central, Momodou A Sarr for Banjul North and Aziz Pa Boy Frezer for Banjul South. One Niaga Jammeh, who is running as an independent candidate for Banjul South, also had his nomination approved.

Lower River Region

by Sanna Jawara

Nominations in Lower River Region (LRR) closed on Saturday, with eight opposition candidates accepted to contest the January 25 National Assembly elections.

The UDP/NRP candidates were Kemeseng Jammeh for Jarra West, Pa Jallow for Central, Babanding Daffeh for Kiang Central, Alhaji Momodou Sanneh for Kiang West, Kekoi Bajo for Jarra East, and Karafa Dampha for Kiang East. Two independent candidates, comprising Yunusa N Bah for Kiang Central and Maw Darboe for Kiang West, also had their nominations approved at the IEC Regional Office in Mansakonko.

Meanwhile, one Pateh Baldeh, a native of Donkotonding Village, who also wanted to contest the elections, had his nomnation turned down because of his late appearance at the IEC Regional Office.

During an interview with the Daily Observer, all the eight candidates expressed confidence to win their respective seats.

Tony Secka, IEC Returning Officer for LRR, described the nomination process as successful, adding that the candidates who had their nominations approved met the requirements.

SoS Sonko, others up NBR nomination

by Sheriff Janko

Ousman Sonko, Secretary of State for Interior and APRC Political Liaison Officer for North Bank Region, has described the nomination process in the Nothern Region of the country as peaceful.

In an interview with reporters, shortly after the nominations in Kerewan, SoS Sonko said the IEC conducted nominations were free from any violence. He noted that the general public should be commended for their patience and understanding. “Security officers should also be commended for their professionalism, demonstrated throughout the nomination process. If they have not shown such qualities, there would have been problems,” he said.

SoS Sonko said that he also expects the campaign process to be done peacefully, adding that IEC would do everything possible to make sure campaigns do not clash. He advised the contesting candidates to abide by the rules and regulations of the campaign programme.

He then urged the public to rally behind the APRC sponsored candidates and give them the necessary support.

Lamin Dibba, UDP Coordinator for NBR, expressed similar sentiments. He then elaborated: “We all share the same country. All party supporters should do away with politics of violence. The nomination was done peacefully and I hope the coming elections would be more easier,” he said.

Kebba Jammeh, Police Commissioner for NBR, urged all the electorate to maintain peace and tranquillity throughout the campaign period. He further emphasised that the electorate should exercise a high sense of maturity, as the campaign period draws closer.