Gambia: Draft Constitution to be presented to Parliament in August
The State House has announced Thursday that the government will table the draft Constitution before the lawmakers in August following the presidential review.
“As required by the Constitutional Review Commission Act 2018, His Excellency, President Adama Barrow having received the Draft Constitution on 30th March 2020, the Ministry of Justice will publish the national document in the Gazette before the end of May 2020, before it is subsequently presented to the National Assembly in August 2020,” a statement from the presidency stated.
The Constitutional Review Commission which was tasked to draft the constitution, was set up and inaugurated in June 2018. A month ago, the commission completed its mandate and submitted the draft to the president before the referendum. If voted by Gambian people, it will usher the country into the third republic.
“The Office of the President therefore assures the public that the due processes will be followed in strengthening our democracy.”
Meanwhile, the cabinet has shared its frustration with a clause in the draft Constitution which bars the current president to take part in the future election apart from 2021. As per the provision, any elected president will serve for a two-terms of five years which included the current term of President Adama Barrow.
According to the cabinet, this is discriminatory against the president.
