The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in a bid to ensure free, fair and transparent Local Government elections accredited 266 election observers out of which 24 are international observers. Among these observers is Africa in Democracy and Good Governance (ADG).
Speaking on the concluded Local Government elections in a press conference held at the head offices of (ADG) at 73 Kombo Sillah Drive on Monday 28 2008, the director of programmes Edwin Nebolisa NWAKAEME who was also the head of the delegation of their observer team at the recently concluded local government elections, told the press that the politician have not done a good job.
The Africa in Democracy and Good Governance observed that the political parties and candidates fail to do a good job in the area of informing and educating the voters and it’s their belief, that, this was the reason for the poor turn out. The ADG was not also happy with the posters of some candidates near pooling stations. Their observers did bring that at the notice of the IEC officials and it was taken care of.
Edwin told the press that in monitoring the local government elections, ADG and its collaborators have the following objectives: of observing the conduct of elections by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in terms of administration, logistics and management; observed the general human right issues; make an informed judgments on whether or not the elections can be adjudged free, fair and transparent and whether or not the official results are true reflection of the expressed will of the electorates.
Asked what is the position of ADG on the issue of voter registration? As election is a whole process, from registration to counting of votes. It was brought to attention of Edwin that in the Gambia , elections are only rigged at voter registrations. He told the press that they have not participated in voter registrations but is something that will be looked into. Commenting on the general conduct of the local government elections he said it was a free and fair one.
ADG was established in the Gambia by people of different nationalities who are concerned in promoting human rights, civics responsibilities, rules of law and democracy. The mission of ADG is to contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and good governance in Africa by initiating and advising on programmes and policies which will strengthen institution responsible for the protection of these scared values in order to ensure human security, sustainable development and lasting peace.

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