By Omar Bah
The Independent Electoral Commission has rejected Momodou Sabally’s appeal against the electoral body’s decision to reject his nomination. IEC returning officer in the Brikama Administrative Area Tony Secka last Thursday rejected Sabally’s nomination on legal grounds. Mr Sabally appealed the decision on Friday but in a short letter of reply, the commission’s chairman Alieu Momarr Njai informed him that the rejection of his nomination has been upheld by the IEC.
“At its session held on 12th March 2022, the Commission upheld the decision of the returning officer that your nomination has not complied with law as per the application of Section 90 (1)(e) of the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia,” Njai told Mr Sabally.
Sabally reacts
Sabally has since fired back saying he will challenge the IEC’s decision.
“They have rejected my appeal and I have also rejected their rejection. So, we will soon meet at the right platform for adjudication,” Sabally said reacting to the rejection of his appeal.
He said he will neither give up nor take a step back in his fight as the IEC has “no legal authority to reject my nomination. My rejection is an outright flouting of procedure and a blatant disregard for justice and fair play by the IEC officials”.
“I will take the legal and administrative steps necessary to correct this maleficent. This targeted oppression of an innocent citizen of this country will be taken up to assure you that I am not giving up. I am not taking a step back. I will continue to fight for my rights as a citizen of this country who has been oppressed, targeted, side-lined, marginalised by an inept, corrupt administration,” Sabally said.
UDP official applies permit to protest
The Standard has been reliably informed that a senior UDP official, Ebrima Dibba has applied to the Inspector General of Police requesting for a permit to take to the streets over Sabally’s rejection by the IEC.
“We are protesting to ask the IEC to do the right thing and accept Mr Sabally’s nomination and to call for justice and fair play in the country. The protest will be held on Tuesday March 15, 2022 at Westfield from 10am to 3pm,” Dibba told IGP Abdoulie Sanyang in his letter leaked online.
