Many political parties in The Gambia did not hold meetings as they should have, including the ruling National People's Party. The Electoral Commission told the parties to have these meetings. It is a rule.
The parties must meet at least once every two years. The Commission wrote to 16 parties, and they were supposed to have meetings by the end of 2024. Only 11 parties did so.
Five parties asked the Commission for more time. They wanted to have their meetings later. The ruling NPP party was one of them. The Commission said yes to the request.
An official from the Commission discussed this. His name is Pa Makan Khan. He said they want to work with the parties. The Commission could punish parties that break the rule, but it would rather give them more chances first.
Some people have said the Commission is too easy on the ruling party. Mr. Khan said that is not true. The Commission wants all parties to follow the law. This includes having meetings and sharing money records. It also means keeping offices around the country.
The Commission hopes the parties will follow the rules. If they keep breaking them, the Commission can suspend them or even stop them from being parties, but it would rather not do that if possible.
The parties must meet at least once every two years. The Commission wrote to 16 parties, and they were supposed to have meetings by the end of 2024. Only 11 parties did so.
Five parties asked the Commission for more time. They wanted to have their meetings later. The ruling NPP party was one of them. The Commission said yes to the request.
An official from the Commission discussed this. His name is Pa Makan Khan. He said they want to work with the parties. The Commission could punish parties that break the rule, but it would rather give them more chances first.
Some people have said the Commission is too easy on the ruling party. Mr. Khan said that is not true. The Commission wants all parties to follow the law. This includes having meetings and sharing money records. It also means keeping offices around the country.
The Commission hopes the parties will follow the rules. If they keep breaking them, the Commission can suspend them or even stop them from being parties, but it would rather not do that if possible.
