Citizens’ Alliance (CA) Party’s Nenneh Freda Gomez, who filed her nomination papers at the country’s electoral Commission, in order to vie, as the party’s candidate, for the Serekunda West National Assembly seat, has informed members of the press that “the under-representation of women in critical decision-making positions has inspired” her to be contesting the upcoming April 9th Legislative elections.
It could be noted that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is, from 5-13 March, 2022 conducting nominations of candidates for the National Assembly Elections, being held at its regional offices across the country.
Speaking on Sunday at the IEC (KM) Regional Office along the Kairaba Avenue, shortly after submitting her nomination papers to the Commission, Ms. Freda Gomez explained her desire to contest was a call from her people, but reminded that she has been fighting against issues affecting the women folk, especially under-representation of women in all aspects.
“So, it’s fitting that the time is right for me to be in legislature and represent women and women agenda and youth”, the banker-turned-politician held.
“We [women] fell short and have a long way to go; and if we are not represented and we are not given our dues, I think is about time we get up and fight for ourselves and get our rightful place. I want to represent women, and we are underrepresented. And somebody has to get up and make this happen”, the banker-turned-politician emphasized.
Gomez, who’s the Spokeswoman for CA, said the role of the National Assembly is to conduct oversight, hold government to account and make laws, to uplift the citizens from their plights.
Also submitting his nomination credentials, to run on CA party’s ticket, was Mr. Famara Mamburay for Bundungka Kunda Constituency seat, and he told the gathered press corps that his constituency is faced with numerous challenges, among them “water and electricity supply shortages”. He vowed if elected, “I will push those challenges in the legislature so that those problems can be addressed”.
The CA aspirant went further to say, “I will realize this by introducing strong bills in the assembly, with a view to come up with tangible solutions to the problems that are confronting Bundungka Kunda.”
Meanwhile, all the said aspirants have expressed their firm hope of winning the April 9th National Assembly elections in their respective constituencies, and to represent their constituents (in particular) and Gambia at large, beyond expectations.
“I have received your nomination documents. I issued you a receipt of your nomination, and we will verify them (documents),” Vice Chairman Joe Colley, the IEC Returning Officer for Kanifing Municipality, told them. He had, however, made it clear to the CA candidates that if there was no objection, by the next day, an acceptance letter would be given to them.
“I am also going to give you a check list (of all the documents you have submitted) so that there will be no qualms in the submitted document”, Colley told CA party’s Ms. Gomez and Mamburay, when they submitted their respective documents.
