Group Seeks Credible Presidential Polls In Gambia

A group, the Africa Watchdog, has called on The Gambia electoral body, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to conduct credible presidential polls.

It said credible and acceptable polls was not only about going to the polling unit but free of intimidation of political opponents ahead of the polls.

In a statement issued in Benin City, the coordinator of the group, Comrade Isaq Abdullahi, said African leaders must show true leadership by allowing the people’s will to prevail as well as give opposition political parties the freedom to campaigns by all legal means.

Isaq expressed reservation over rising political tension in Gambia over allegations campaign vehicles belonging to opposition presidential frontrunner, Prince Ebrahim Sanyang, were prevented from entering the country through its border with Senegal.

He said the founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), accused Gambian immigration officials of refusing entry to six Senegalese technicians and vehicles engaged for his presidential campaign without providing any written explanation or legal justification.

According to him, “Lovers of freedom and democracy must speak up against electoral injustice around the world. We must be reminded that the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment,  provides qualifying citizens of member states with visa-free entry for visits of up to 90 days.

“Both Senegal and The Gambia are parties to the regional agreement, which seeks to promote freedom of movement, economic cooperation and regional integration across West Africa.”