Gambian parliamentary election, 1997
The parliamentary elections in Gambia in 1997 took place on 2 January 1997 in the West African Presidential Republic Gambia. The elections for the Gambian National Assembly election was the first of the Second Republic Gambia.
The ruling party Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC ) of president Yahya Jammeh was able to gain a clear majority of seats in parliament.
Election procedures and circles
For the Gambian National Assembly, which convened in the National Assembly in the capital, Banjul, 45 members were elected at that time. Four more seats in the National Assembly were appointed by the President, so that the National Assembly for the legislative period 1997-2002 had 49 members of the unicameral.
The elected members were identified in the 45 constituencies of the country in a direct election with a majority system (simple majority). For the division of the constituencies the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was responsible, this is based on the districts in the administrative divisions of The Gambia. Areas with high population density are adjusted in their division, so is the capital Banjul in three constituencies and the community Kanifing, was divided with the greatest city in the country Serekunda in three constituencies.
An elective did not exist.
The vote itself was carried out by glass marbles, which were thrown into a locked- up on the throw-in drum as ballot box. These ballot boxes have been designed in different colors, depending on the candidate. By this method, the percentage of invalid votes was according to experience very low.
The National Assembly elections had to take place no later than three months after the election of the President.
Starting position
According to an estimate, according to The Gambia in 1997 had a population of 1,235,767 inhabitants.
After the military coup in 1994 by Yahya Jammeh, the Parliament was dissolved and the Constitution of 1970 repealed. Simultaneously, a ban was imposed by political meetings. By 1996 a new constitution was drafted Gambia, which entered into force after a constitutional referendum in August 1996.
Following this, presidential elections were held in September 1996. Here Yahya Jammeh (APRC ) Hamat Bah ( NRP) and Sidia Jatta ( PDOIS ) was 55.8 percent against his rival candidate Ousainou Darboe (UDP), interspersed.
The last parliamentary elections before the coup were carried out in 1992.
Predial
In the 45 constituencies went to 107 candidates and the majority of voters wanted to get. Among the APRC came in all constituencies with 45 candidates. It was Challenged by 34 candidates of the UDP, the NIP sent five candidates in the race and the PDOIS 17 candidates. In addition, there were six candidates who belonged to no party. In five constituencies, the candidates of the APRC had no opponent, they won the constituency without resistance.
The 'official' election campaign lasted from 10 to 31 December 1996, and is described as calm.
Election day
The election took place on a Thursday.
Election
- Otherwise:. 4
- APRC: 33
- UDP: 7
- NRP: 2
- PDOIS: 1
- Indep. 2
With, Or. Seats ' are the seats meant that the Presidents were appointed.
The election result was published in the media, the data basis of the following tables is derived from the IEC.
Of the above 444 061 registered voters 307 856 valid votes were cast, so the turnout was 69.32 percent. In five constituencies, the candidates of the APRC had no opponent, so that they could win without resistance the constituency for itself. If these constituencies are not considered, in which no opposition candidates were set up, then there were 420 507 registered voters and the turnout was 3.2 percent.
Jammeh was after he had won the presidential elections, winning the parliamentary elections for his party APRC. With 33 constituencies won the APRC moved with 33 seats in parliament, another four members appointed by the President, so that 42 of the 49 seats were part of his wings. Seven seats gained UDP, two seats, the NRP and the PDOIS could win a constituency for itself. The independent candidates Lamin Jallow Wollom S. and Hassan Jallow was able to beat their rival candidates.
The result of the election of 1997, only bad compare with the parliamentary elections in 1992, the two major parties APRC ( 52.1 %) and UDP ( 34.0 %) were set up only to this election. The participation in this election was the former ruling party and some other parties forbidden (in brackets the voting shares in 1992). Among the People's Progressive Party (PPP ) ( 54.2 %), the party of former President Dawda Jawara, the Gambian People's Party (GPP ) ( 6.9 %) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP ) ( 4.6%). Only the NCP ( 24.3 %) and PDOIS (4.6%) were admitted in 1997.
Election results by party
- Management unit ( English Administrative Area (AA )) = Banjul = City of Banjul, Kanifing = Kanifing Municipal Brikama = Western Division, Mansa Konko = Lower River Division North Bank Division Kerewan =, = Janjanbureh Central River Division, Basse Upper River Division =
Election results by constituency
Elected representatives
Of the 49 members of the Parliament was a woman ( rate: 2.04% ), this comes from among the appointed members - all 107 established candidates were men. Among them are (number in brackets) teachers ( 14), Landwirtschaftler (10 ), social workers ( 4), technicians (3) business (3) and Contractors (2), at 13 members previous activity has not been established. Three members are old at the time of the election than or equal to 30 years, the groups 30-40 years and 40-50 years old persons are staffed with 18 members, seven members in the group 50-60 years and two members of Parliament are over 70 years old (at a member 's age is not occupied).
By-elections
There is no evidence that elections have taken place.