By Madi S Njie
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has not observed the principle of fair play in the recently concluded local council elections, said Celestine Kujabi, a defeated independent candidate for Kanifing Ward.
Mr Kujabi said he was particularly disappointed as a Christian about the date of the said elections, as it coincided with the Christian Lent season.
He claimed that the season prevented him from reaching all the residents of Kanifing. He said: “Most of the residents who could have been my potential voters told me they did not meet or see me. It has made them feel I was isolating them, so most of them did not came out to vote.” Kujabi, commonly known as
Teacher, called on the relevant authorities to always put the Calendar first when scheduling elections.
“If elections are not scheduled during Ramadan or can be postponed by authority of a man, why not during the Christian Lent Season?” he asked. While commending all winners, particularly the Councillor elect of Kanifing Ward, Kujabi reiterated that the IEC must always consult the calendar critically and involve all relevant stakeholders, ranging from the National Council for Civic Education down to the grassroots-community level, on matters relating to Governance and electoral process, hence to address issues of voter apathy which is increasingly affecting elections in the country.
