Many Gambians have criticized lawmakers who blocked overseas citizens from voting. The National Assembly turned down a part of the election bill that would have given Gambians living abroad voting rights. Twenty-five lawmakers from President Barrow's National People's Party (NPP) and their friends voted against it. People outside The Gambia felt betrayed, with some saying Barrow's team blocked it because they feared losing votes.
Special Political Adviser Saihou Mballow told The Standard that President Barrow played no part in this choice. Mballow said the president knows Gambians abroad feel upset but denied the government planned this outcome. "I can assure Gambians in the diaspora that President Barrow strongly supports the right of all Gambians to vote and be voted for, including them," Mballow stated when asked why NPP members voted no.
Mballow explained that NPP lawmakers have voted against government bills before. He said the president never steps in because the National Assembly makes its decisions freely. "I believe our lawmakers voted against the clause based on the gap in the constitution," he added. Mballow talked with most NPP representatives after their vote, and they told him they back diaspora voting if legal gaps close first.
He thinks the bill might pass later if it meets all requirements. Mballow rejected claims that NPP fears registering Gambians abroad would cost them the next election. "The suggestions by some politicians and activists that allowing the diaspora to vote could threaten Barrow's presidency is wrong. If the diaspora votes, most will pick President Barrow," he claimed.
Special Political Adviser Saihou Mballow told The Standard that President Barrow played no part in this choice. Mballow said the president knows Gambians abroad feel upset but denied the government planned this outcome. "I can assure Gambians in the diaspora that President Barrow strongly supports the right of all Gambians to vote and be voted for, including them," Mballow stated when asked why NPP members voted no.
Mballow explained that NPP lawmakers have voted against government bills before. He said the president never steps in because the National Assembly makes its decisions freely. "I believe our lawmakers voted against the clause based on the gap in the constitution," he added. Mballow talked with most NPP representatives after their vote, and they told him they back diaspora voting if legal gaps close first.
He thinks the bill might pass later if it meets all requirements. Mballow rejected claims that NPP fears registering Gambians abroad would cost them the next election. "The suggestions by some politicians and activists that allowing the diaspora to vote could threaten Barrow's presidency is wrong. If the diaspora votes, most will pick President Barrow," he claimed.
