Statement by Alieu Momar Njai, Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC),
The Opening Program on Election Reporting Training of Media Sponsored by IFES
Date: 9th August 2021, Venue: Paradise Suites Hotel, Kololi
Below is a link to the opening ceremony of the Training featuring the IEC Chairs speech.
Distinguished members of IFES, Representatives of GPU, Members of the Media, Distinguished invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
First and foremost, I like to register my appreciation and honour to be present here with you and to deliver these remarks on this auspicious occasion of IFES sponsored media training in collaboration with Gambia Press Union (GPU). Evidently, this training cannot come at a more fitting time than now, when the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is poised to conduct the December 4 Presidential election. In preparation for the presidential election and other elections in the 2021- 2023 election cycle, IEC has recently concluded a General Registration of voters and working diligently for the final production of a credible voter roll. Both the general registration and production of a voter roll are significant processes for the conduct of the presidential election.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Sections 43 of the Constitution of The Gambia states:
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution the Independent Electoral Commission shall be responsible for –
(a) the conduct and supervision of the registration of voters for all public elections and the conduct and supervision of all public elections and referenda;
In subsections 2 & 3 of the said provision of this section of the Constitution, it is stated that: the Commission shall announce the results of all elections and referenda for which it is responsible and in the exercise of its functions under this Constitution or any other law, the Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority. No one can influence the IEC.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
In fulfilling this mandate, IEC collaborates with all stakeholders in the electoral process and is very passionate to further this collaboration in the 2021-2023 election cycle. It is an undeniable fact that public election is a national activity and is the business of all and must, therefore, be treated thus for better strengthening of the democratic gains for social cohesion.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
My presence in this important occasion of IFES and GPU collaboration in building the capacity of the media in election reporting is not only an invitation honouring, but sacrosanct also to our quest for an informed media. IEC is mandated to conduct all public elections and referenda while the media has the triple role of informing, educating and entertaining its public. Information sharing in a professional and timely manner has a significant dividend of building an aware citizenry with little space for rumour-mongering. The media must be perceived and seen to be on the trajectory of peace creation all through the electioneering period until peaceful elections are delivered to the Gambian public. Election remains one of the major human activities that build trust and strengthen democratic institutions and must therefore be handled diligently particularly with media reporting.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Election is always said to be the business of all and reporting on that event has the potential to make or unmake a nation. Election reporting helps timely communication of information to the Gambian public and all stakeholders in the electoral process. It also puts election events to the limelight and that must be done in a much transparent and professional manner with utmost effort to remove personal and institutional biases in the messages and information communicated to the public.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
As in the IFES communication, I quote, “the media have an important responsibility to conduct accurate election reporting that promotes information sharing, enhances transparency and mitigates issues such as the spread of misinformation, hate speech and incitement of violence”.
The importance of the media in election reporting cannot be doubted. Elections, as we are aware, present, opportunity Tor the electorates to choose peacefully among manifestos and programs of political parties or independent candidates presented to them during election campaigns. Therefore, elections are significant national activities and require all forms of positive and professional reporting to help strengthen the democratic gains including an informed public.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
The manner events and activities can be reported has a significant bearing in the making or the unmaking of peace and stability at any given situation. By extension, all forms of reporting either through the mainstream media or otherwise need good handling and care. Messages are coded from different players in the electoral process and received by individuals of different orientations and sentiments, hence the need for diligence, care, appropriateness and relevance for the maintenance of peace and order. The promotion of the above-stated values cannot be overemphasized during elections and election reporting.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
May I hasten to implore on the media to continue verifying with the Commission all issues of electoral matters particularly matters of elections before putting them out there in the public. Let me assure you that the IEC has an open-door policy and will always give information about the electoral process to the public as and when appropriate. The media is quite significant in the domain of information sharing hence close collaboration with the IEC is germane.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
We must all be wary that it is not uncommon for unscrupulous individuals to trail on peoples’ emotions and psychology just to disturb the peace and tranquillity. For that being the case, we must never fall for such negative tendencies from whatever form or whatever quarters those tendencies emanate from. We must report events accurately and factually devoid of all sensational elements. We all have a responsibility to ensure the maintenance of the peace and tranquillity of our dear mother Gambia, hence the importance of this media training.
In conclusion, I want to thank the organisers of this important event for a great foresight in building the capacity of the media in election reporting as we usher in the presidential election in the next few months ahead. I want to assure you of Commission’s continuous collaboration with its stakeholders in the electoral process.
I thank you for your attention.
