CHAOS IN THE SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION

Halifa Writes To IEC

It has been conveyed to me that the following personnel of the IEC are under arrest at the Yundum Police Station i.e. Amie Jarju, Momodou Jaw and Baba Drammeh.  I visited the Registration centre at Sinchu Baliya on Saturday 15th July 2006 because of reports I received from our agents that security forces were called by APRC Party members to appear without consultation with the registering officers.

I noticed that upon my arrival the security personnel were withdrawn and the crowd dispersed.  Before my departure the only people left at the centre were the registration team, the agents and the claimants. The exercise was reported to have gone smoothly on that day.

However on Sunday 16th July 2006, I received report of a confrontation between the registering officers and a group of APRC stalwarts allegedly led by Mr. Aziz Tamba.  I was cautioned to expect the dismissal of Mr. Ndondi Njie and the detention of the registration team because of pronouncements or threats made by some APRC stalwarts, to that effect.  Hence when I heard that the members of the team are under detention because of allegations of registration malpractices it became clear to me that the very Independence of the IEC is under attack.

Mr. Chairman, who on earth has authority to accuse and arrest any IEC personnel of registration malpractices.  It is the IEC personnel who have authority to maintain order at their stations.  Section 129 of the Elections decree has stated categorically that  

 “(2) A police officer assigned to the commission shall, during his assignment, be under the control   and direction of the commission.

(3)        Every police officer assigned under this section shall serve the commission from the period of the commencement of registration of voters or the conduct of elections until

(a)        three days after the end of the registration;”

Needless to say, it is the Commission that is responsible for pursuing electoral malpractices.

Section 126 of the elections decree states that she commission may in its own name institute criminal proceeding for any offence committed under this act or refer such offence to the Attorney General for Prosecution.”

Mr. Chairman, the arrest and detention of your personnel is an affront to the impartiality

Independence and dignity of the IEC.  It serves to intimidate your personnel. You should take an uncompromising stand to ensure their release.

It goes without saying, your office seems to be using control of the system.  For example our agents were informed that your team would be in Kunkujang prior to the arrest of the teams that was in Sinchu Alagie.  After the arrest a new team was sent to Sinchu Alagie to conduct the registration instead of going to Kunkujang. Up to the time of dispatching this memorandum the team is still stationed in Sinchu Alagie. May I ask: How will such a team behave when they are in Sinchu Alhagie? If the registration officers who should order the arrest of people who create disorder at their stations are now ordered to be arrested then justice must be standing on its head.  This situation requires immediate remedy.

Suffice it to say, the whole schedule for registration is in shambles.  We were informed that the registration team would be in Kembuje since Sunday 16th July 2006.  However for the past 3 days they are stationed at Darsillami.  There is suspicion everywhere that the pattern of registration is being engineered by some APRC stalwarts.

In this regard, we wish to express our total dissatisfaction that no system has been introduced in advance for us to be able to follow your registration teams.  We have to call every morning to find out where the process is to take place.  It is our view that your institution now lacks the capacity and authority to protect your personnel and earn the trust of the key stakeholders.

In that regard, you should call an emergency meeting of stakeholders to discuss away forward for your institution instead of waiting for court action to discredit the whole registration exercise. 

While anticipating your immediate reaction,

I remain,

Yours in the Service of the Nation

Halifa Sallah

For the NADD Executive