GAMBIANS VOTE FOR THEIR PARLIAMENTARIANS IN A PEACEFUL ELECTION

Elections into Gambia’s 53-seat National Assembly kicked off slowly in a generally peaceful atmosphere on Thursday 6th April 2017 with some 870,000 registered voters casting their ballots in the 1,422 polling stations nationwide. Prof. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Head of the ECOWAS 20-member Election Observation Mission, who had visited some 13 polling stations in Central Banjul by 12 noon, expressed his satisfaction with the smooth and peaceful exercise and the commitment of Gambian voters. Other members of the ECOWAS observation mission are deployed across the country, including the Commissioner for Political Affairs Peace and Security, Mrs. Halima Ahmed, ECOWAS Permanent Representative to the Gambia Ms Vabah Gayflor, the Director of Political Affairs, Dr. Remi Ajibewa and Head of Electoral Division Mr. Francis Oke. In accordance with the electoral law, polling started at 8 am local time with electoral staff already at the polling centres before 7 am with electoral materials including the polling drums. A handful of voters and political party agents were already on ground by the time Prof. Afari-Gyan, former Chairman of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, and his team arrived at the Banjul City Council polling stations by 7am. Polling officials and party agents spoke about low voter turn-out, when compared with the 1st December 2016 Presidential poll, a situation they said had to do with insufficient sensitisation and voter education on the importance of parliamentary and local government elections. The same trend was reported in many parts of the country with Mr. Joseph Colley, Commissioner for Training and Communication at The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission (EIC), saying “it shows that we still have some work to do in terms of civic and voter education.” But despite the reported low turn-out at the early stage of balloting, ECOWAS observers noted a high sense of duty, enthusiasm and commitment exhibited by some Gambian voters, especially the elderly. For instance, wheel-chair bound Aji Haddy Secka, 90, was able to cast her vote at the Banjul Mini Stadium polling station assisted by her daughters. Also, 80-year-old visually challenged Aji Samba was among the 85 of 445 registered voters who had cast their ballots by 11.45 am, when ECOWAS observers visited the Odeon Cinema polling station. Some 238 candidates from nine political parties and independents are contesting 48 available seats in Gambia’s 53-seat Parliament. The President, under the constitution will appoint the remaining five members. Gambia’s peculiar voting method involves the use of glass marbles as ballot paper and metal drums as ballot boxes. For the parliamentary polls, the ruling coalition of seven political parties is presenting individual candidates and each party candidate and independent has his/her picture on a metal drum. On presenting their voter’s card, a registered voter is given a glass marble to cast his/her vote in secret, by throwing the marble in the metal drum, which has sand deposited on the base. The bell-sound of the marble against the drum indicates that voting has taken place. The aim of the sand is to avoid confusion which could arise from multiple sound of the marble against the metal drum and also to avoid fraud. This was the same system used by the IEC during the 1st December 2016 election that brought President Adama Barrow’s opposition party to power after 22 years of the administration of former President Yahya Jammeh, now exiled in Equatorial Guinea.

ECOWAS ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION URGES PEACEFUL PARLIAMENTARY VOTE IN THE GAMBIA

The Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission to The Gambia, Prof. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan has appealed to all political stakeholders to ensure that the country’s April 6 Parliamentary elections are held in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity so as to consolidate the gains of democracy in the country and the region. Speaking at a press conference in Banjul, the nation’s capital on Tuesday 3rd April 2017, the Head of the ECOWAS 20-member mission commended the Gambian Government and people for the reasonably peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the country and expressed the hope that the positive trend would be sustained during and after the National Assembly polls. “ECOWAS is here to observe the parliamentary elections as further demonstration of its commitment to accompany and support the Government and people of the New Gambia in the country’s political progress and development for the benefit of all,” declared Prof. Afari-Gyan, who also led an ECOWAS needs assessment mission to the country last February. This was in the aftermath of the December 2016 Presidential election, won by the opposition party after 22 years of the administration of former President Yahya Jammeh, now exiled in Equatorial Guinea. The ECOWAS election observation mission deployed by the President of the ECOWAS Commission H.E. Marcel de Souza, in consonance with the regional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, is supported by the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Mrs. Halima Ahmed, the ECOWAS Permanent Representative in the Gambia Mrs. Vabah Gayflor, the Director of Political Affairs, Dr. Remi Ajibewa and the Head of the Electoral Assistance Division (EAD), Mr. Francis Oke. Prof. Afari-Gyan assured that the ECOWAS observation mission would be impartial and its findings made public, while reminding all stakeholders including the political parties, the candidates and their supporters, the government, the electoral Commission and the security agencies about the need to work together for peace in the interest of the nation. He recalled that ECOWAS-led efforts, supported by the international community, had facilitated the peaceful transfer of power after the December presidential election. “There is the need to sustain the momentum and consolidate the gains,” he said, adding: “This would only be possible with the support and cooperation of all Gambians.” Commissioner Ahmed said that ECOWAS could not observe the presidential election due to the circumstances at the time and in compliance with its normative instruments on democracy and good governance. But she explained that the Commission and regional leaders have remained engaged with stakeholders to accompany the Gambia on the path of progress and democratisation. She noted that the Commission’s President de Souza has paid a solidarity visit to the Gambia, while the ECOWAS military Mission, ECOMIG, deployed to the Gambia following the post-election tension is still in the country providing the necessary security support. ECOWAS has also upgraded its Bureau in the Gambia to Ambassadorial status. According to Prof. Afari-Gyan, “ECOWAS’ overarching objective of regional integration and economic development is the responsibility of all the community citizens, and we are confident that Gambians will continue to play their part towards the realisation of ECOWAS 2020 Vision for transformation from an ECOWAS of State to an ECOWAS of people.” Some 238 candidates from nine political parties and independents are vying for positions in the Gambia’s 53-seat National Assembly in the 6 April elections. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) registered 886,547 voters for the elections from the country’s estimated 1.9 million people. There are 1.422 polling stations across the 53 constituencies nationwide.

INTERNATIONAL GATHERING CHARGED TO IMPROVE ECOWAS ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE IN WEST AFRICA

ECOWAS Commission President H.E. Marcel M. de Souza on Monday 27 March, 2017 in Cotonou charged participants of an International Workshop reviewing ten years of ECOWAS Electoral Assistance in West Africa, to come up with a Cotonou Declaration for the improvement of the quality of electoral assistance to its member States. Declaring open the three-day workshop and the 5th biennial General Assembly meeting of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) at the commercial capital of Benin Republic, the ECOWAS chief said the Declaration should derive from a dispassionate assessment with a view to strengthening the electoral systems of member States as well as improving the integrity and reports of electoral observation missions deployed by the Commission. He reminded the attendees that although ECOWAS’ primary objective was economic integration, the regional organisation has had to recalibrate its agenda in line with emerging socio-political challenges, including electoral contestations in the continuing efforts to balance economic development with the pursuit of democracy, good governance, peace and security in the region. The President explained that in response to global trends and the commitment of ECOWAS leaders to strengthening democracy in the region, the Commission in 2006 set up its Electoral Assistance Division (EAD), which drew its mandate from the organisation’s Supplementary Protocols on Democracy and Good Governance, Conflict Prevention Framework and the regional Guide on Election Observation. As the Commission celebrates 10 years of electoral assistance and promotion of democracy in West Africa, he expressed the Commission’s felicitation to ECONEC which was set up in 2008 for its contribution. The president also expressed the Commission’s gratitude to development partners especially the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the European Union (EU), and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) for supporting ECOWAS in the electoral assistance and other areas of its intervention. In his welcome remarks, Chair of the Benin Republic Electoral Commission Emmanuel Tiando said his country was pleased to host the international conference, pursuant to its commitment to democracy and good governance and the ECOWAS roadmap. He called for the strengthening of capacity of EMBs to make them more effective in delivering their mandate. In his goodwill message, the German Ambassador to Benin Republic Walter Von den pledged his country’s continued support to ECOWAS through GIZ, including in electoral assistance and promoting peace and security in the region. He cited the Commission’s active engagement and support for member States holding elections as “one of its greatest achievements.” Speaking in a similar vein, the OSIWA representative Mathias Hounkpe, commended ECOWAS for its strides at deepening democracy in the region. He noted that of the 10 presidential elections held in recent years in West Africa, seven of the losing candidates called their opponents to congratulate them on their victories. The OSIWAS official cited The Gambia, as one of the latest remarkable efforts by ECOWAS at safeguarding democracy in the region. Speaking earlier, the acting President of ECONEC Gen. Siaka Sangare, said the workshop was an opportunity to improve standards in pursuit of electoral integrity and entrenching democratic practice in the region. He said the review of 10 years of electoral assistance should address the issue of follow-up and implementation of the recommendations of ECOWAS election observation missions. Gen. Sangare thanks development partners, especially OSIWA for their support to ECONEC and called for sustained support to enable the Network to deliver on its mandate. Mr. Francis Oke, Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division and Secretary General of ECONEC, outlined the agenda of the conference and the 5th biennial General Assembly of ECONEC, which is expected to elect and new Board and agree a work plan. Attendees of the Cotonou meeting include heads of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) in the region, election experts, members of the ECOWAS Parliament, and staff of the Commission’s Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department led by Commissioner Halima Ahmed. Others are development partners such as the International Foundation for Electoral Support (IFES), the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), the West African Network for Peace building (WANEP) as well as staff of the ECONEC Secretariat.

INTERNATIONAL GATHERING CHARGED TO IMPROVE ECOWAS ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE IN WEST AFRICA

ECOWAS Commission President H.E. Marcel M. de Souza on Monday 27 March, 2017 in Cotonou charged participants of an International Workshop reviewing ten years of ECOWAS Electoral Assistance in West Africa, to come up with a Cotonou Declaration for the improvement of the quality of electoral assistance to its member States. Declaring open the three-day workshop and the 5th biennial General Assembly meeting of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) at the commercial capital of Benin Republic, the ECOWAS chief said the Declaration should derive from a dispassionate assessment with a view to strengthening the electoral systems of member States as well as improving the integrity and reports of electoral observation missions deployed by the Commission. He reminded the attendees that although ECOWAS’ primary objective was economic integration, the regional organisation has had to recalibrate its agenda in line with emerging socio-political challenges, including electoral contestations in the continuing efforts to balance economic development with the pursuit of democracy, good governance, peace and security in the region. The President explained that in response to global trends and the commitment of ECOWAS leaders to strengthening democracy in the region, the Commission in 2006 set up its Electoral Assistance Division (EAD), which drew its mandate from the organisation’s Supplementary Protocols on Democracy and Good Governance, Conflict Prevention Framework and the regional Guide on Election Observation. As the Commission celebrates 10 years of electoral assistance and promotion of democracy in West Africa, he expressed the Commission’s felicitation to ECONEC which was set up in 2008 for its contribution. The president also expressed the Commission’s gratitude to development partners especially the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the European Union (EU), and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) for supporting ECOWAS in the electoral assistance and other areas of its intervention. In his welcome remarks, Chair of the Benin Republic Electoral Commission Emmanuel Tiando said his country was pleased to host the international conference, pursuant to its commitment to democracy and good governance and the ECOWAS roadmap. He called for the strengthening of capacity of EMBs to make them more effective in delivering their mandate. In his goodwill message, the German Ambassador to Benin Republic Walter Von den pledged his country’s continued support to ECOWAS through GIZ, including in electoral assistance and promoting peace and security in the region. He cited the Commission’s active engagement and support for member States holding elections as “one of its greatest achievements.” Speaking in a similar vein, the OSIWA representative Mathias Hounkpe, commended ECOWAS for its strides at deepening democracy in the region. He noted that of the 10 presidential elections held in recent years in West Africa, seven of the losing candidates called their opponents to congratulate them on their victories. The OSIWAS official cited The Gambia, as one of the latest remarkable efforts by ECOWAS at safeguarding democracy in the region. Speaking earlier, the acting President of ECONEC Gen. Siaka Sangare, said the workshop was an opportunity to improve standards in pursuit of electoral integrity and entrenching democratic practice in the region. He said the review of 10 years of electoral assistance should address the issue of follow-up and implementation of the recommendations of ECOWAS election observation missions. Gen. Sangare thanks development partners, especially OSIWA for their support to ECONEC and called for sustained support to enable the Network to deliver on its mandate. Mr. Francis Oke, Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division and Secretary General of ECONEC, outlined the agenda of the conference and the 5th biennial General Assembly of ECONEC, which is expected to elect and new Board and agree a work plan. Attendees of the Cotonou meeting include heads of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) in the region, election experts, members of the ECOWAS Parliament, and staff of the Commission’s Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department led by Commissioner Halima Ahmed. Others are development partners such as the International Foundation for Electoral Support (IFES), the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), the West African Network for Peace building (WANEP) as well as staff of the ECONEC Secretariat.

EVALUATION DES DIX ANNEES D’EXPERIENCE EN MATIERE D’ASSISTANCE ELECTORALE EN AFRIQUE DE L’OUEST

VERS L’EVALUATION DES DIX ANNEES D’EXPERIENCE EN MATIERE D’ASSISTANCE ELECTORALE EN AFRIQUE DE L’OUEST Cotonou, la capitale économique du Bénin, abritera du 27 au 29 mars 2017, un atelier sur les dix ans d’expérience en matière d’assistance électorale dans l’espace communautaire, et l’assemblée générale biennale du Réseau des commissions électorales en Afrique de l’Ouest (RESAO). La rencontre, organisée par la Commission de la Communauté économique des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Cedeao), portera sur le thème « Dix années d'expérience électorale au sein de la Cedeao : défis et leçons apprises ». Elle permettra aux participants d’évaluer non seulement les processus électoraux et l'administration électorale en Afrique de l'Ouest au cours de la dernière décennie, mais également de mener des réflexions approfondies sur les progrès réalisés dans certains domaines. Il s’agit du cadre juridique et de la participation des femmes, de l’inscription des électeurs, des registres électoraux, des systèmes d'enregistrement de l'État civil, de la planification financière et de la mobilisation des ressources. Les réflexions porteront aussi sur la collecte et la transmission des résultats, la logistique en matière électorale, de même que sur l’évaluation de la contribution des partis politiques au renforcement des processus électoraux dans l’espace Cedeao. Les discussions seront menées à travers des communications et causeries-débats, et permettront d’améliorer la gestion des conflits en période électorale. Outre l’atelier, se tiendra également l’édition 2017 de l'assemblée générale biennale du RESAO. Celle-ci sera l’occasion pour les participants d'élire et de reconstituer le Comité exécutif du Réseau. Participeront à ces rencontres les présidents des Organes de gestion électorale des Etats membres de la Cedeao, le président de la Commission de l’organisation régionale, ainsi que des responsables et cadres du département chargé des Affaires politiques, de la Paix et de la Sécurité de cette Commission. Des représentants de plusieurs organisations internationales partenaires de la Cedeao, des experts électoraux, des membres du secrétariat du RESAO, des parlementaires nationaux et régionaux, sans oublier des représentants du ministère de l’Intérieur des Etats membres de la Cedeao seront également présents à ces assises.

ECOWAS, PARTNERS REVIEW 10 YEARS OF ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE IN WEST AFRICA

ECOWAS, PARTNERS REVIEW 10 YEARS OF ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE IN WEST AFRICA A three-day International Workshop on ten years of ECOWAS Electoral Assistance in West Africa and the 5th biennial General Assembly meeting of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) open in Cotonou, capital of Benin Republic on Monday, 27 March 2017. Organised by the ECOWAS Commission with support from development partners, particularly the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the international gathering is under the theme “Ten Years of ECOWAS Electoral Experiences and Promotion of Democracy: Challenges and Lessons Learned.” ECOWAS has systematically assisted its member States holding elections including with technical support and the deployment of short-term poll observers, in accordance with the relevant regional protocols and instruments. To formalise this electoral assistance mechanism as part of efforts to improve electoral integrity and deepen democracy in the region, the ECOWAS Commission in 2006 set up an Election Assistance Division (EAD) within its Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department. From 2014, in response to the global trend and as further demonstration of its commitment to strengthening democratic practice in West Africa, the Commission with the support of development partners started the deployment of Long-term election observers to member states holding critical elections. This is to complement the work of short-term observer missions, which concentrate mainly on Election Day activities. The main objective of the Cotonou workshop is to carry out a critical assessment of how electoral processes and administration have evolved in West Africa over the past decade. This will involve a review of various thematic areas including the legal framework and participation of women, youth, minorities and persons with disability; Voter registration; human resource planning and mobilisation of finance. Other key areas of assessment are Electoral logistics, Results collation and transmission; adaptation of technology; ECOWAS intervention in the electoral processes, review of political parties’ contributions; interrogation of the nexus between electoral process and the deepening of democracy, and establishing convergence electoral procedural processes to be promoted for harmonisation as common ECOWAS standard electoral practice. Participants at the workshop expected to be opened by the Benin Republic Foreign Minister will include Chair and Vice-Chair of Electoral Commissions of ECOWAS member States, President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Commissioner for Political Affairs Peace and Security, and Members of ECOWAS Parliament. Also expected are representatives of partner international organisations including OSIWA, GIZ, the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), West African Network for Peace building (WANEP), African Union (AU), and the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES). Other attendees are electoral experts, staff of the ECOWAS Election Assistance Division and the ECONEC Secretariat. On the margin of the workshop, ECONEC, which has been in existence since 2008, will hold its fifth biennial General Assembly meeting to elect a new Steering Committee and adopt a work plan for the newly constituted Executive Board.

MOST EXPENSIVE HOTEL IN THE WORLD!!!

Looking for a Hotel for the Weekend! Images of Billionaire Stephen Hung’s new hotel in Macau. The 13, have been released just now. This could arguably be the most expensive hotel ever built. With a minimum of 2000 square feet for the smallest room, the Hotel will have 200 rooms.