Sabally urges stricter rules for party registration

Speaking in an interview with Star TV, Sabally criticised the 2016 Coalition Government’s decision to reduce registration fees and requirements, describing it as a “mistake” that has weakened the country’s political system.   “It is very sad that when the 2016 Coalition Government came in, they made a mistake, and I am sure they know it by now,” Sabally noted. “When Yahya Jammeh raised the fees and requirements to register for presidential and parliamentary elections, the 2016 coalition reduced them. This has weakened our politics and made people make fun of it.” Sabally argued that the current framework makes it too easy for individuals with little organizational or leadership experience to establish political parties and contest elections. He warned that this trend risks undermining the seriousness of national politics.   “Someone who cannot manage a football club or be a youth leader in a community has been made it easy for to establish a political party. If that political party is recognised, goes on campaign and contests elections, it would be our taxes [funding it]. I think we need to be serious as a nation,” he added.   The NPP youth president urged authorities to “raise the bar” for political participation, stressing that the country should not lower its standards for entry into the political arena.