by Alhagie Babou Jallow
The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) Electoral Committee has assured the general public of conducting free and fair elections during the upcoming elective congress slated for 27th August 2022.
The electoral committee made this promise during a press conference held on Thursday, June 30th at the Football House in Kanifing. The press conference was meant to give details about the upcoming GFF elective congress.
Mr Saikou B. Jarju , Vice Chairman of the GFF Electoral Committee emphasised the committee’s commitment to fairness in response to a letter of complaint from Mr. Sadibou Kamaso, one of the aspiring candidates, asking for the General Secretary of the GFF Mr. Lamin Jassey to recuse himself from the electoral committee in the interest of fair play, because he was alleged to have been involved in a political campaign in favor of the incumbent.
“Whilst we noted his concern and replied to his letter accordingly, we want to assure the general public that God willing the Electoral Committee will conduct the election with all fairness and without any undue influence or interference from either party,” said the vice chairman of the GFF electoral committee.
He added that it is their best interest to protect their integrity moving forward. “So we will do everything possible to stand by that trust. On record, there is no single registered candidate and we have not received any nomination of a candidate yet and so we don’t want to pre-empt a situation that we have no evidence of”.
“The Secretary General in the Electoral Committee was sanctioned by the General Assembly in the 2018 AGM. So his presence in our midst is merely to facilitate certain administrative matters on a consultative basis as may be required and not otherwise,” he clarified.
The Electoral Committee is headed by Lamin Sanneh, a seasoned sports official and former governor of West Coast Region, who is now Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Environment.
The committee also comprises Saikou B Jarjue, the president of the National Inter-departmental sports Association (NISA) as vice president; while Aboulie Jallow, formerly of the GNOC; Karalang Jatta and Haddy Silla as members.
GFF Electoral Committee is not part of the GFF Standing Committees but one elected by The General Assembly in an AGM to carry out specific duties amongst which include: Setting and announcing election dates and time; scrutinising nomination papers for candidates; conducting eligibility checks on aspiring candidates; ensuring that the electoral codes are respected by all aspiring candidates.
