Almamy Fanding Taal, UDP Spokesperson
By Ramatoulie Jawo
In response to allegations of vote buying by the ruling National People’s Party, the United Democratic Party (UDP)’s spokesperson, Almamy Fanding Taal, said that elections are won or lost before elections day.
“It is said that elections are won or lost a few days or a few weeks before the election day. Elections are never won or lost on election day itself. The UDP has been fighting for elections for the last 25 years or so and in all our elections we have tried to comply fully with all the laws of the land with all the laws in respect of the elections hearing,” he stated.
Mr. Taal said what they (UDP) witnessed since 2016 is the continued erosion of the rule of law where elections are concerned.
“I want to remind everyone that tomorrow will mark seven years since Solo Sandeng last saw the light of day. Seven years when Solo Sandeng’s family last saw him, seven years when he (Solo Sandeng) took out the banner at Westfield and said to Gambians we have to fight for constitutional and electoral reforms,” he said.
Mr. Taal added that seven years on, there have not been any significant electoral reforms in the country.
He said all they have been seeing is voter malpractice and electoral malpractice.
“This coming Local Government Election on Saturday, two days away, it is very important for all Gambians to know that there are no international observers. This time In 2021, the whole country was full of observers, but this time around is Local Government Elections. It is in our localities, no matter how small, no matter how far away, people will elect them,” he addressed.