Multiparty democracy has been shown to be the best way to run the affairs of a nation. It entails the rule of the majority through a representative government of the people. Thus, periodically, elections are held to choose the people who will run the affairs of the nation. These include the president, members of parliament, councillors, mayors and so on.
It is therefore part of multiparty democracy to have political pluralism. This means that there will be differing views and opinions. It is important in a multiparty democracy to give people [political parties more so] to have differing views and opinions. These opinions do not necessarily have to be correct according to one’s view, nonetheless, they have to be accommodated.
The Constitution of the Republic of the Gambia guarantees citizens the right to assembly. As such everyone should have the right to assemble freely without let or hindrance. In a democracy people should have the right to join any assembly so long as it is peaceful and within the confines of the law.
Similarly, opposition parties have the right and responsibility to hold the government to account. In order to do that effectively, the opposition parties should have the freedom to speak out against wrongs [whether perceived or real]. It then behooves the ruling government to come out and clarify the allegations whether true or not. If a government seeks to silence its critics, then that is a dangerous recipe for sliding into a dictatorship.
Citizens must wake up to the ills that go on in a country and take a stance never to allow a government to have a stranglehold on their freedoms which have been guaranteed by the Constitution. Democracy entails participation from all individuals.
