BANJUL, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of Gambia has recently approved 251 candidates to contest for 53 constituency seats across the country ahead of the National Assembly election slated for April 9.
Aminata Correa, one of the 19 female candidates among the 251, is seeking the Latrikunda Sabiji seat sponsored by the People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism. She vows to champion women issues if elected by the Kanfing Municipality based constituency.
"Because women consist of 55 percent of the population and we are under-represented in an important organ of the government, the legislature where laws are made, and these laws are sometimes gender sensitive. This is why I am contesting," she told Xinhua.
This is Aminata's second attempt for parliamentary election. She has spent most of her political career as an advocate for women rights issues.
"We believe that women's representation will positively influence decision making. We can also voice issues affecting the nation's priority areas of concern, which includes women and children's welfare, health, education, agriculture, security and youth issues," she said.
Abdoulie Ceesay is seeking reelection for his Old Yundum constituency seat in the West Coast Region of the country as a candidate for the ruling National People's Party.
"I deserved re-election because I have been effective in representing my people both in the parliament and at the constituency level. I have been in good times with my people and have been in consultation with them," he said.
Abdoulie aims to continue where he left in his first term in office by engaging in effective legislation. He said he has demonstrated enough as he participated in various legislations, including the anti-corruption bill, women enterprise bill, as well as passing the Access to Information law.
Meanwhile, away from the urban constituencies, Alpha M.K Lowe is a first time-seeker who is contesting for Lower Nuimi seat, claiming that he is motivated to contest because the area has been a victim of poor representation.
"As someone who was born and brought up within Lower Nuimi, I have realized that we have been under-represented for quite a long time now. So, I want to come back and help my people because they have encountered a lot of challenges of representation. I have what it takes to help my people, to salvage them from such," he said.
Alpha previously served as a school teacher and later became the president of the University of The Gambia Students' Union. Upon graduation, he served the University until his recent decision to contest the election.
He is not impressed with the way the national budget is allocated, claiming that farmers and the agriculture sector in general have been neglected to a great extent.
"This year, I have seen my parents, brothers, relatives, my constituency members and farmers across the country struggling to have their peanuts purchased, and this has made them frustrated and challenged," he said. ■
