Banjul — Some people claiming to be agents of the Ruling APRC has been collecting voters cards in opposition strongholds across the country in exchange for rice, the Freedom Newspaper gathered today. In what appeared to be vote buying ahead of the January Local Government elections, concerned residents in Upper Saloum and some parts of the Greater Banjul Area reported such voter malpractices. The concerned residents who wished not to be identified for fear of being victimized said vote buying has been taking place in the said localities.

Although, the Independent Electoral Commission which is mandated to preside over the elections said they were not aware of any vote buying. An official of the IEC said unless an official complaint was lodged by the affected parties, action cannot be taken to remedy the situation. The IEC official said parties engaged in vote buying should desist from such acts as he puts it " We have number of registered voters in each ward. If there is voter apartheid we will know at the end of the day. I think they should allow the electoral process to take its cause than to act otherwise. This office will assert its impartiality at all times. We are not aware of any vote buying." said the IEC official.

According to sources reaching the Freedom Newspaper, the APRC has been employing politics of rice in opposition stronghold areas. That free rice was being given to communities who were willing to turn over their voters cards to its agents on the ground. In Upper Saloum, for example, they said many voters cards were bought from local residents. A good number of voters cards were collected in Banjul and the Kanifing Municipality, said our sources.

Due to hunger and economic hardship, many voters preferred to receive rice in exchange for their right to exercise their franchise. Sources called on the IEC to look into matter in the interest of free and fair elections.

An official of the IEC, although denied having knowledge about any vote buying. The official says voters who decided to sell their votes in exchange for rice were doing it at their own peril. He says the electoral law frowns at such illegal acts. He says such people should be reported to law enforcement authorities if seen.

Attempts to solicit reaction from the APRC bureau in Banjul proved futile.

The UDP led Alliance recently took the Government to court for passing bad local government laws, which according to the opposition gave sweeping powers to the President to meddle into the affairs local Government matters. The new law empowered the President to fire mayors and also dissolve Area Councils.

Justice Minister Marie Saine has earlier urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the said suit against the state on the basis of lack of evidence on the side of the opposition to prove their case. But Human rights lawyer Ousainou Darboe who happens to the leader of the UDP maintains that there was a case against the Gambian Government. Darboe argues that such bad laws undermines the constitution and political freedoms of Gambians.

Mr. Darboe wants the Supreme Court to declare the Local Government Act illegal and unconstitutional. That a declaration be issued for the said law to be scrapped from the nation's constitution. Decision on the said case is pending.