GAMBİYA'DA SEÇİM POLİTİKALARI VE SEÇİM REFORMUNUN DURUMU

Year 2023, Volume: 1 Issue: 1 - İstanbul Ticaret University Journal of Foreign Trade, 55 - 67, 25.05.2023

Biran Gai , Mim Kemal Öke

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7966672

Abstract

2016 yılında Gambiya, ülkenin yönetimini iyileştirmek için bir dizi reform vaat eden yeni bir koalisyon hükümetiyle başarılı bir şekilde iktidar devretti. Bu reformlar arasında güvenlik sektörü reformu ve seçim reformu yer alıyordu ve sivil toplum, muhalefet partileri ve uluslararası seçim kuruluşları tarafından geniş çapta kabul edildi. Gambiya'da mevcut olan seçim yasaları eski ve adil olmayan olarak görülüyor ve daha dengeli ve kapsayıcı bir seçim yönetim çerçevesi oluşturmak için bunları değiştirmek acil bir gereksinim olarak kabul ediliyor. Seçim reformları devam etmesine rağmen, siyasi çekişmeler ve bürokratik gecikmeler ilerlemeyi engelledi. Bu çalışmanın sonucu, reform sürecinin yasal ve kurumsal yönergelerinin net bir senaryosunu oluşturarak, Gambiya'da daha demokratik ve şeffaf bir seçim sistemi için yol açacaktır.

Keywords

Gambiya, oy kullanma, ulusal seçimler, seçim reformu, seçim

THE STATE OF ELECTORAL REFORM IN THE GAMBIA

Abstract

In 2016, the Gambia underwent a successful transfer of power, with a new coalition government promising a series of reforms to improve the country's governance. Among these reforms were security sector reform and electoral reform, which were widely accepted by civil society, opposition parties, and international election agencies. The current laws governing elections in the Gambia are seen as outdated and unfair, and there is a pressing need to amend them in order to create a more balanced and inclusive election governance framework. While electoral reforms have been ongoing, progress has been hampered by political infighting and bureaucratic delays. This study contributes to the discussions on how to create a more democratic and transparent electoral system in The Gambia by identifying the legal and institutional guidelines that can be followed during the reform process.

Keywords

Gambia, Elections, Voting, National Elections, Electoral Reform

References

• Afrobarometer (2018) Summary of results Afrobarometer round 7 in The Gambia. Centre for Policy, Research and Strategic Studies
• Afrobarometer (2021) Summary of results Afrobarometer round 8 in the Gambia. Centre for Policy, Research and Strategic Studies (CEPRASS)
• Afrobarometer (2022). Summary of results round 9 in The Gambia. Center for Policy, Research and Strategic Studies.
• Cham, M.P, (2020).Barrow Sweeps Polls in Niamina, Kerr Jarga By-Elections. The Point Newspaper.
• D’Aiello, L. (2018). The Case of The Gambia: A Template for Democratic Transition?
• Darboe, K. (2021) Gambia: When Legal Junglers Defend Their Role Under Military Rule. JusticeInfo. Net. https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/76670-gambia-legal-junglers-defend-their-role-military-rule.html
• Debrah, E. (2015). Reforming Ghana's Electoral Process: Lessons and the Way Forward. J. Pol. & L., 8, 1.
• Dowetin T. (2012). Ghana: EMB Role in Electoral Reform. ACE Electoral Knowledge Network. 15 January 2021. Retrieved at (https://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/lf/annex/lfd)
• Dowetin T. (2012). Ghana: EMB Role in Electoral Reform. ACE Electoral Knowledge Network.
• Edie J. (2000) Democracy in The Gambia: Past Presents and Prospect for the Future, Afrique et Development. Department of Political Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst.
• Gyekye-Jandoh, M. A. (2013). Electoral reform and gradual democratization in Africa: The case of Ghana. African Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2), 74-92.
• Hughes, A. & Perfect, D. (1996) A Political History of the Gambia: 1816-1994. University of Rochester Press.
• Hughes, A. (2000) Democratization Under the Military in the Gambia:1994-2002. Journal of Commonwealth & Comparative Politics.
• Human Rights Watch (2016). Witness: Beaten to Death in Gambia, Families of Murdered Opposition Leader Speak out. https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/11/02/witness-beaten-death-gambia
• IDEA, (2014). Electoral Law Reform in Africa: Insight into the Roles of EMBs and Approaches to Engagement. Policy Paper October 2014.
• International Peace Institution (2011). Election in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities. www.ipinst.org.
• International Peace Institution (2011). Election in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities.
• Jaw, S. M. (2020). The Gambia: Why MPs just shot down the popular new draft constitution. African Arguments, 24.
• Kerr, N. N. (2009). Electoral governance in sub-Saharan Africa: Assessing the impact of electoral management bodies’ autonomy and capacity on citizens’ perceptions of election quality. Charles and Kathleen Manatt Democracy Studies Fellowship Paper, East Lansing. MI: Michigan State University.
• Library of Congress (2015). Gambia: Increased Monetary Deposit Requirement for Election Candidates.
• Library of Congress. Accessed 23rd January 2023 (https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2015-07-21/gambia-increased-monetary-deposit-requirements-for-election-candidates/
• Luo, A. (2019). Content Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide with Example. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/content-analysis/
• Lust-Okar, E., & Jamal, A. A. (2002). Rulers and rules: Reassessing the influence of regime type on electoral law formation. Comparative Political Studies.
• MFDA, (2016). The Gambia Under Yahya Jammeh: 22 Years of Repression and Rights Violations. Media Foundation for West Africa. https://www.mfwa.org/country-highlights/the-gambia-under-yahya-jammeh-22-years-of-repression-and-rights-violations/
• Moses M. (2012), Electoral Reform in South Africa. Southern African Catholic Bishop’s Conference Parliamentary Liaison Office. Briefing paper 285
• Mustapha K. Darboe (2016) Gambian opposition demands electoral reforms. Anadolu Agency. 10 January 2021 (https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/gambian-opposition-demand-electoral-reforms/519741)
• Mustapha K. Darboe (2016) Gambian opposition demands electoral reforms. Anadolu Agency.
• Rahat, G. (2004). The study of the politics of electoral reform in the 1990s: Theoretical and methodological lessons. Comparative politics, 461-479.
• Reynolds, A., Reilly, B., & Ellis, A. (2008). Electoral system design: The new international IDEA handbook. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
• Roblot T. Wally M. Nackerdien R. Riddle K. and Ravidà A. (2020) Recommendations for Electoral Reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo. International Foundation for Electoral Studies.
• Ronceray M & Byiers B. (2019) Election in Africa-Playing the Game or Bending the Rules. ecdpm. Discussion Paper No. 261
• Rukambe, J. K. (2010). Promoting free and fair elections in Africa: The role of the UNDP and other international partners. UNDP Regional Service Centre for Eastern and Southern Africa, Johannesburg: South Africa.
• Saine, A. S. (2002). The military and human rights in the Gambia: 1994-1999. Journal of Third World Studies, 19(2), 167-187.
• Saine, P. (2021). Gambia Opposition Files Legal Challenge to Election Result. Reuters. Gambia opposition files legal challenge to election result | Reuters
• Schild, D. (2012). Accountability vis-à-vis representation: a pluralist examination of the South African electoral system.
• Siegle, J., & Cook, C. (2021). Presidential Term Limits Key to Democratic Progress and Security in Africa. Orbis
• Songi, O. (2008). Electoral reform in Nigeria: Opportunities and challenges. Being an Essay Submitted to the National Orientation Agency.
• The Guardian (2021). Gambian Opposition Parties Reject Election Results. Gambian opposition parties reject election results | The Gambia | The Guardian
• The Point Newspaper (2015). The 11th Proposals and Demands of the Opposition for Electoral Reform and Constitutional Reform. The Point Newspaper. Accessed 23rd January 2023 (https://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/the-11th-proposal-and-demands-of-the-opposition-for-electoral-and-constitutional-reform)
• The Standard (2021). Is The Gambia Ready for Migration to Paper Ballot. The Standard. Accessed 10th February 2023.
• United Nations, The Gambia (2020). Inter-Party Dialogue on Memorandum of Understanding, Code of Conduct and Elections Bill 2020. United Nations, The Gambia. https://gambia.un.org/en/104085-inter-party-dialogue-memorandum-understanding-code-conduct-and-elections-bill-2020
• Van Ham, C., & Garnett, H. A. (2019). Building impartial electoral management? Institutional design, independence and electoral integrity. International Political Science Review.
• Wally, Riddle & Ravidà, (2020). Recommendation for Electoral Reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo. International Foundation for Electoral System.
• Wiseman, J. A. (1996) Military Rule in the Gambia: An Interim Assessment. Third World Quarterly, 17(5), 917-940.