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International IDEA Conducts Dialogue With Partners

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Ghanaian diplomat Muhamed Bun Chambas addressing the IDEA dialogue with partners on 20 January 2022 at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center
 

Ramatoulie Jawo

The International IDEA conducted a dialogue with partners on the feedback on the value of the code of conduct as well as means to mitigate the risks of electoral violence in the coming legislative and local elections.

IDEA’s partners including the CSOs, media editors and managers, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, among others, on Thursday attended the event at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo.

Speaking at the event, the Gambia Press Union President, Muhammad S. Bah commended the work of the journalists during and after the presidential elections. He recalled their efforts in ensuring the public gets the right information.

“On the day of the election, journalists were busy fact checking fake news that were circulating on social media which was very unique,” Bah said.

Babucarr Nyang, a youth activist, called on the government to recognize the efforts of the youth in the presidential election. 

He said the youth came out in their numbers to vote and maintain peace during and after the election; therefore, the government should include them in any development that they are doing.

Senior programme manager at The Gambia Press Union, Modou S. Joof said he would want the state broadcasting media (GRTS) to be accessible to the political parties in the Gambia during and after the election.

He also wants the government to look into the draconian media laws in the 1997 Constitution, although the government is not using the laws, they still exist and can be used at any time.

Bishop James Allen Yaw Odico, Chairman Gambia Chairman Council said as a country, Gambians have a lot to do in the 9th April parliamentary election to avoid one political party dominance in the house. 

“For that to be done, we have to educate our young people to take part in the upcoming election, because it’s the most important election for the country,” Bishop Odico said.

International IDEA conducted a series of dialogues in September and November 2021, which led to the solemn signing of a Code of Conduct on 11th November 2021 by all presidential candidates in the December 4 presidential election.

The Code of Conduct was useful during the campaign and after the elections. It became a reference for citizens and other stakeholders – including Electoral Observation Missions deployed by African Union and ECOWAS – while in demand for peaceful elections.

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