The Chairman of the IEC recently presented to the Joint
Committee of the National Assembly its Strategic Plan 2015 - 2019 during which
he assured the Joint Committee Members that the "IEC will evolve into an
efficient and effective institution that is adequately staffed and
resourced."
The Chairman also said in connection with the preparation of
the Strategic Plan, the touted its "comprehensiveness to enable it address
its current challenges." Appropriate mechanisms and structures, the Joint
Committee was told, have been incorporated in the Plan but would require
resources (both local and foreign) to successful implementation.
But even before we talk about implementing a Strategic Plan
by an institution supposedly established to guarantee free, fair and
transparent elections, we must ask ourselves who was involved in developing the
Strategic Plan in the first instance.
Were opposition parties involved in its preparation? What of civic society groups? What of ordinary citizens? What about the international
organizations? I recall the Chairman
telling the Joint Committee that external resources would be needed to conduct
future elections.
A Strategic Plan MUST demand the active participation of ALL
stakeholders in its preparation.
Otherwise it should be considered null and void. It is knots and bolts issues like this that
political parties should concern themselves and not attempts at trying to
appease a dying regime.
It is, therefore, incumbent on all political parties and members of civic/civil societies and, indeed ordinary Gambians to demand a seat at the table to design the Plan together. Experience have shown that the IEC cannot and should not be left to its own devices.
