Elections is a key element of any meaningful democracy. It gives the people (electorates) the opportunity to make their choice of leadership; and this is a golden chance to have a say in the way and manner of the management of the affairs of their country. Voting is a central pillar in any electoral process. It is a civic right and duty through which electorates exercise such rights which are constitutionally guaranteed. Thus, voter registration is an avenue to allow eligible voters to vote. Apparently, there cannot be successful elections in the absence of free, fair, transparent and all-inclusive voter registration exercise.
As the Gambia is in the build up to three important elections: Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government in December, 2021, April, 2022; and May, 2023 respectively, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), being the constitutionally mandated institution to conduct all elections and elections-related matters, commenced a General Voter Registration Exercise on May 29, 2021 and will end on July 11 2021.
To this end, the IEC has established various Voter Registration Centers all over the country to enable all eligible Gambians to be registered. To register, one needs to fulfill the following conditions and requirements: (a) be a Gambian citizen (b)be eighteen (18) years at the time of registration or will be 18 years on or before the Elections Day (c) be of sound mind (d) present at least one of the following documents at the registration center: a valid national identity card, or a valid passport, or a birth certificate or an Alkalo’s or Seyfo’s attesting that the claimant is a citizen of the village or district he or she is requesting to be registered. It is important to note that according to the current laws of The Gambia, prisoners are not allowed to be registered to vote.
The Gambia has a population of approximately 2.4 million people which is 65% youth. By virtue of being the majority in the country, youths are essential in shaping the development process of the country particularly during political processes such as elections. As such, we should not allow to be left out in such processes, as it is incumbent on all eligible Gambian citizens (who fulfil the conditions/requirements mentioned above) to register and vote and even be voted for… For the past decades in The Gambia, most voters were the elderly men and the women, except in 2016 when a good number of youths voted, others nominated, and some voted into office. As a result, after so many years, our National Assembly and Local Government Offices constitute youth representative. Although there are youth representatives in these institutions, their percentage is still relatively small. The Gambia being a fledgling democracy, having youths in our Assembly and Local Government Offices is an incredible and promising development in our politics which should be scaled up. Participation in elections is beyond voting. It involves taking more ownership and challenges by contesting for election-based offices. Thus, Gambian youths must take charge of their destiny by equally contesting to be elected. This gives them more ideal opportunity to effectively take part in the decision-making processes in the country. This is a bold challenge which resonates with the famous words of the former President of the United States, John F. Kennedy who wants said: “the future premise of any nation is the present prospect of its youths“. Therefore, it is obligatory upon our generation to make right by our country, our people, and for posterity. The youths of this country cannot and should not remain at the bottom of the ladder of power and authority and expect to influence the course of events in our governments.
The Gambia needs transformative change, and this is unattainable without the direct involvement of the young people who, not only by virtue of being the majority but indications of their potentials, have the responsibility of determining the future of this country. The fact that Gambia’s political arena has been for long been dominated by the same crop of political leaders and politicians, speaks volume of how young people for the longest time remain on the fringes of power and governance framework of the country is concerned. Unfortunately, despite the new wave of youths taking part in the country’s politics, a significant number of us still continue to be pawns to our party leaders, who for some reason(s) are power-drunken. This trend ought to change! The young people cannot continue to be cheerers, celebrants, or tools for political leaders; rather they should be the champions, leaders, and partners in the country’s development. They deserve a seat at the table. It is high time…, and they must proceed to acquire this seat and cease to be bystanders. That being said, it befalls us, young people, to rewrite the political history of this country and reinvent the dynamics of Gambian politics. And to effect this, we should charge ourselves with the responsibility to go out in our numbers to register, vote, and stand the chance to be voted for. It is through this we can influence The Gambia’s development trajectory, and ensure the wheel is never reinvented!
