Secretary-General to send officials for elections in Zambia and The Gambia

Commonwealth Secretariat officials are to be present at the Presidential, National Assembly and Local Government Elections in Zambia later this month and at the National Assembly Elections in The Gambia in January 2002.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon is sending two representatives to each election, in response to invitations from the election management bodies of the two countries. Speaking in London prior to their departure Mr McKinnon said:

"My representatives' remit will be to gain a broad overview of the environment in which the elections take place, the electoral process and the elections themselves and then to report back to me on their return. I hope that their presence will be an important contribution to the strengthening of democracy in both countries."

The Secretary-General's representatives at the Presidential, National Assembly and Local Government Elections in Zambia, which take place on 27 December, will be Mr Hanif Vally and Mr Martin Kasirye, respectively Deputy Director and Senior Programme Officer in the Commonwealth Secretariat.

At the National Assembly Elections in The Gambia to be held on 17 January 2002, Mr McKinnon's representatives will be Dr B S Mohd Tap and Dr Jackie Dugard, respectively Deputy Director and Senior Programme Officer in the Commonwealth Secretariat.


Note to Editors
The Commonwealth Secretary-General has sent Commonwealth Secretariat officials to be present as his representatives at several elections in recent years. A Commonwealth Observer Group was present for the Presidential Election in The Gambia on 18 October 2001.



01/83 19 December 2001