Renowned journalist and former Information Minister Demba Ali Jawo was elected Chairperson of the Kololi-based Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations (GCVHRV) on Saturday.
Jawo received 14 votes out of the 16 votes cast. Two voted for his opponent despite the fact that the center’s bylaws do not allow voting in absentia while one abstained to exercise his democratic right.
The much-awaited electoral process was conducted by Gambia Participates’ Marr Nyang who made sure that everything went smoothly. As the by-election was building up, Board members spearheaded the nomination phase via the center’s WhatsApp group, and D.A. Jawo and Tabou Sarr emerged as potential candidates.
However, only former Minister Jawo turned up in order to take part in the election as Tabou Sarr as absent due to the fact that she was completely in the dark with regards to Election Day. A situation that triggered a heated debate about a possible postponement of the election.
Ultimately, it was agreed to proceed with the electoral competition after Tabou Sarr was contacted by Victims’ Center Vice-chair Muhammed Sandeng over the prevailing situation and she accepted that the process must not be halted by any obstacle.
