Professor Ba Samba Njol Drammeh P has defended the National People’s Party (NPP)’s voter registration mobilization efforts and criticized comments made by opposition leader Mama Kandeh regarding the registration of voters in parts of the Greater Banjul Area.
Speaking in an audio message addressed to members of the Soninkara NPP group, Professor Drammeh extended greetings to the group’s leadership, including President Bangal Jagana, Vice President Jahara Drammeh, Secretary Omar Koita, Treasurer Almamy Camara, Public Relations Officer Haji Hasar Karaga, Bahore Kabba, Abdoulie Sankareh, myself Ba Samba Njol Drammeh and other members.
Addressing recent remarks by Mama Kandeh, Professor Drammeh said the opposition leader had alleged that Soninkara NPP members had facilitated the registration of 3,343 individuals whom he described as non-Gambians during the voter registration exercise in both Kombo Urban and Kombo Rural areas.
Professor Drammeh argued that if Mama Kandeh had concerns about the registrations, he should first conduct proper investigations by consulting village alkalolu and local authorities in the communities mentioned before making public accusations.
He described the allegations as unsubstantiated and said political leaders should verify facts before making statements on social media or other public platforms.
According to Drammeh, the voter registration mobilization campaign conducted by NPP members was aimed at encouraging eligible Gambian citizens, particularly those residing in the Kombos but originally from other parts of the country, to exercise their constitutional right to register as voters.
He explained that volunteers assisted individuals who possessed the necessary documentation but had not yet registered, including providing transportation to registration centres when necessary.
Professor Drammeh praised Dr. Muhammad and other NPP members involved in the exercise, saying their actions reflected standard political practice aimed at increasing voter participation.
Drawing comparisons with political campaigns in the United States, where he currently resides, Drammeh noted that political parties routinely deploy volunteers and paid campaign workers to encourage citizens to register to vote.
He said such outreach efforts take place in public spaces, residential areas, shopping centres, restaurants and transport hubs.
“What NPP did is politically correct,” he said, adding that all political parties in The Gambia should undertake similar initiatives to ensure that every eligible citizen is registered to vote.
Professor Drammeh further argued that assisting citizens to register does not guarantee they will vote for a particular party, emphasizing that voter registration and voter choice are separate matters.
He concluded by accusing Mama Kandeh of engaging in what he described as “childish politics” and urged him to conduct proper investigations before making allegations regarding voter registration activities.
