By Landing Ceesay
The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) Preliminary reports revealed that the Saturday presidential election was conducted in a democratic political environment.
“The AUEOM comments the government and the people of The Gambia, the IEC, political parties, candidates and their supporters for their peaceful conduct before and during polling. Based on its pre-election assessment and Election Day findings, the AUEOM concludes that the election was conducted in a peaceful and democratic political environment and conforms to national and international standards,” His Excellency Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe, former President of the Republic of South Africa and also the head of AUEOM
He added that the mission is hopeful that the peaceful character of the 2021 Presidential election will consolidate this tradition.
The AUEOM further encouraged all stakeholders to sustain the prevailing peace in the remaining phase of the electoral process.
“The AUEOM calls on all stakeholders to remain calm during and after the electoral process. The Mission urges any stakeholder dissatisfied with the electoral process to seek redress through the established legal and institutional mechanisms,” the former South African President said.
The Mission was charged with the responsibility of observing, assessing and reporting on the preparations for the election in line with the relevant AU instruments for a democratic election.
His Excellency Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe made these remarks at a press briefing at the Sir Dawda Kairba Jawara International Conference Centre on Sunday.
The Presidential election took place on Saturday, December 4th 2021 in which the incumbent President Adama Barrow the leader of the National People’s Party (NPP) announced as the winner of the election.