IEC Called To Make Polling Stations Accessible For PWD

By Landing Ceesay

Gambia Participates (GP), an Anti-Corruption Civil Society Organization has called on the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to make Polling Stations accessible for Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

“As noted during the 2021 presidential election, some polling stations were not conducive for persons with disabilities. We call on the IEC to ensure an inclusive process by placing polling stations in locations that are easily accessible by persons with disability,” Marr Nyang, Executive Director of GP said.

Mr. Nyang also called on the IEC polling and supervisory polling officials to conduct the elections in an impartial and objective manner. 

He further stated that the IEC should ensure election results are consistent and accurate with greater transparency of collation and tabulation process the votes cast. 

“The IEC should increase communications with the public after polling stations have closed to assure the public that the electoral process is being respected according to the laws. IEC to investigate the dropping of candidates and establish if it has any connection to undue influence and corrupt practices,” he said.

The GP ED also called on candidates and parties to adhere to the electoral codes and IEC’s code of conduct for the legislative elections, including restrictions on the use of government property for political party activities.

“Political parties and candidates should discourage violence among their supporters, and refrain from all illegal practices that could compromise the integrity of the elections. Any party or candidate that is not satisfied with the outcome of the elections should resort to judicial resolution and not to the streets,” he said.

Gambia Participates is set to deploy 415 trained and accredited citizen observers to observe and report on the Election Day processes of polling units set up, voting, counting and announcement of results for tomorrow’s polls. The GP observers will comprise 65 mobile observers and 350 stationary observers across the 53 constituencies in the Gambia.