Africa-Press – Gambia. A pressure group, The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (CoPG) has demanded from the parliament to ensure that key provisions that were omitted from the 2020 draft constitution are restored before it is passed into law.
In a statement issued out on Monday, the pressure group insisted that “substantial omissions and regressive alterations” as evident in the 2024 Draft Constitution, must not be part of the law of the land.
It would be recalled that the parliament first rejected the 2020 Draft Constitution. The government having made some changes later returned the bill to the parliament known as 2024 Draft Constitution.
So the pressure group came out with the statement yesterday in the wake of a debate for the second reading of the 2024 Draft Constitution that seeks to replace the 2020 Draft Constitution.
Meanwhile, CoPG expresses profound concern regarding the changes, saying 2020 Draft Constitution was developed through extensive national consultation and reflecting broad public consensus. According to the pressure group, the 2020 Draft also encapsulated the aspirations of the Gambian populace for genuine democratic reform, institutional accountability, and social justice.
“We contend that the revised draft of 2024 undermines foundational democratic safeguards and removes essential provisions that ensure transparency and good governance,” CoPG stated. The group unequivocally called for the restoration and reinforcement of certain provisions of the 2020 Draft.
According to CoPG, the leadership and Integrity Provisions should be immediately reinstated to uphold ethical standards in public office. Secondly, it calls for restoration of local government autonomy to strengthen grassroots governance and decentralisation. Similarly it emphasizes the one on full declaration of assets by the President and spouse before and after tenure of office. It further demands disclosure of political party funding to promote transparency and party discipline. It also demanded the restoration of neutrality of Seyfolu and Alkalolu to uphold public confidence in traditional leadership.
The Coalition of Progressive Gambians maintains that no constitution should erode democratic accountability, transparency, or decentralised governance.
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
