There is no doubt that there is an urgent need for electoral reforms in The Gambia.
In fact, readers may recall that this was the very reason the late Solo Sandeng braved the storm to go out in protest for reforms which led to his untimely and unfortunate demise in 2016.
Three years on, a lot has been achieved but there is still room for improvement in some areas and the strengthening in other areas.
As the next electoral cycle draws closer, it is important that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) work hard in collaboration with all stakeholders to smoothen the terrain.
The issue of constituency demarcation, issuance of Voters’ Cards and others are imminent now.
The demarcation of constituencies has become even more pertinent as it is observed that there is a lot of disproportion in the sizes of these constituencies.
Additionally, since 2016 to date, thousands of young Gambians have matured into the voting age and they need to be issued with Voters’ Cards if they are not to be disenfranchised. Thus, there is a lot of work to be done in that area as well.
Furthermore, the Independent Electoral Commission some time ago broached the subject of moving away from the marble system of voting to the paper ballot voting system.
This needs a lot of civic awareness and a lot of work has to be done to sensitize the people on it if it is going to be carried to fruition.
It is for this reason that the validation workshop organized by the Independent Electoral Commission and funded by the European Union to support peace and security is a step in the right direction.
It is hoped that work like this will continue and indeed intensified so that the desired goals may be achieved well before the next electoral cycle.
