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Gambia: Hon. Halifa - NADD Will File in Seventeen Candidates

Nominations for the coming legislative elections will start Thursday 4th January 2007. While APRC candidates are to be nominated on the 4th, NADD's candidates are to be nominated the next day, Friday 5th January while those of the "UDP and its associated parties" are set for the 6th. Commenting on this development, Hon Halifa Sallah, NADD's flag-bearer, told reporters that NADD is to file in seventeen candidates. Out of these candidates, ten applied for direct NADD ticket, while the remaining seven request to stand as NADD-sponsored independent candidates.

Hon. Sallah, who is also the outgoing Minority Leader of the National Assembly and member for Serrekunda Central, said that so far four constituencies have concluded and sent the names of their candidates. The candidates include Sidia Jatta for Wuli West, Swaebo Touray Wuli East, Foday Sanyang Sandu, and Halifa Sallah, Serrekunda Central.

He further said that the people of Banjul North have given a name but was quick to add that the process has not been finalized. He pointed out that the remaining names would be made known in due course. According to him, people are still applying and they are reviewing the situation.

"We also have in mind that even though the other parties have not formed a tactical alliance with NADD, NADD has unilaterally established a policy of a tactical alliance," Hon. Sallah stated, adding that they would still be looking at other possibilities such as supporting Kemesseng Jammeh regardless of whether he is part of the NADD, UDP or independent ticket. "So we will be looking at places where other opposition parties or independent candidates are credible, and therefore would not put our candidates in those constituencies. But we do not want the APRC to go anywhere without the opposition. We do not want the APRC to go anywhere without being opposed," Hon Sallah asserted.

Buttressing his point the NADD leader stressed, "We believe we have credible candidates and it is left to the people to decide. We believe that to represent the people is a duty, but you cannot represent the people unless they have the trust and confidence in you. We believe that we are worthy of confidence and trust. That is why we are accepting to be candidates and there is no doubt the people we are putting forward will perform their duties."

Hon Sallah also said the coalition's preparations are based on the strategy of making sure that a one-party State does not exist in the country and to ensure that the National Assembly serves as an effective and efficient oversight institution that can scrutinize, criticize policies and programmes that do not serve the interest of liberty and prosperity, as well as to promote policies and programmes that serve the liberty and prosperity of the people.

He expressed the need to have the opposition in the National Assembly to prevent it from being a one party state, and called on the opposition and Gambians to be very cautious in the selection and election of candidates for the National Assembly, pointing out that the candidates must have the capacity to deliver. He therefore called on all to do away with the partisan conception in terms of electing their national representatives. He further disclosed that strategically NADD believes that with at least 27 seats opposing the ruling party in the NA means APRC would be neutralized and the House would not bow down to the Executive.

Hon. Sallah also reminded that there should be no breach of the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) signed by political parties, stipulating that the government of the day should govern on the basis of standards and best practices; and the opposition should have the right to exercise their rights to oppose the government on the basis of standards of best. "It has emphasized that all political parties should be able to communicate their ideas and views without being hindered in anyway and that we conduct our politics without insults, and a climate of respect so that we will be able to coexist in peace."

He observed that the MOU states that public resources and public authorities must not be utilized or compelled to serve the interest of the ruling party, reiterating their expectation that those concerned would not use their offices to promote the ruling party.

"We anticipate that there will be no violence, no intimidation of people to support either side, and equality prevail in the use of the public media, an election free from intimidation and any form of violence," he concluded.