By Buba Gagigo
Isatou Sissoko, a resident of Sare Jatta Village in the Jimara Constituency, Upper River Region, has officially contested the results of the recent lady councilor election in a letter addressed to Kanimang Sanneh, the district chief of Jimara.
“I am writing this letter in my capacity as the aspiring Candidate for the position of Lady Councilor in the just concluded election for the Jimara Constituency. I would like to register my disappointment in which the election was conducted, which betrayed the hopes and aspirations of the women of Jimara Constituency. This letter serves as a petition to the Lady Councilor Election result in Jimara Constituency, 07th September, 2024,” she wrote in her letter to the chief.
Isatou claims that the election result, which declared Tacko Baldeh as the newly elected Lady Councilor, was marred by malpractice, going against the will of the people of Jimara.
“We have realized with great dismay how the local authorities were partially involved in the whole process, which was supposed to be a free and fair election. We, as concerned women of Jimara through me, Isatou Sissoko a native of Sare Jatta and double-up as the candidate in the election, would like to strongly petition the result because it is an injustice to our people, undemocratic and undermine our efforts as women of Jimara,” she stated.
Isatou outlined the following concerns in her petition:
- Why was she denied entry to witness the election with her delegates, while Tacko Baldeh was allowed to witness it with her delegates?
- Why did the Chief and the regional governor of the Upper River Region openly support Tacko Baldeh?
- Why was the election held in the Chief’s compound, which contravenes the Lady Councilor Election Act?
She highlighted several irregularities before and during the election period, claiming her rights as a candidate were violated despite meeting all the requirements stated by the Women Act.
“The Women Act 2010 has clearly stated eight (8) requirements that must be met by the nominee for the position of Lady Councilor, and having met all, to be sidelined by the chief and the regional governor from participating for unjust reasons. I can safely tell you there was no transparency, no equal opportunity and accountable process,” she said.
Isatou called on relevant institutions to intervene and revisit the election process, stating that the chosen Lady Councilor was imposed on them.
“Because at our own level, we rejected the election and do not recognize the chosen one as our Lady Councilor because she is imposed on us. With the stiff steps coupled with the underlying notions, beliefs, presuppositions, attitude and teaching for equal standing for the women in all areas, most especially public office, there is a shared idea and vision for all and not just some. This begs the question, how could a woman be subjected to political discrimination with the advocacy of equal rights for all women both internally and externally to pursue their interests and take an active role towards national development?” She asked.
She concluded, saying, “We are with the fervent beliefs that injustice is a threat to everywhere, and it must be combated under the background of equality and inclusiveness. Attached are the supporting documents of my candidacy and the petition signatories, and we are open to providing evidence in this regard.”