THE CONSTITUTION OF GAMBIA MOVEMENT (GM) OF THE GAMBIA

ARTICLE I: NAME

The GM Headquarters and official business address shall be at a street or mailing address, as may be authorized by the Central Committee, on …… Kairaba Avenue, Kanifing Municipality.

The name of this organization shall be Gambia Movement (GM).

The official emblem of GM shall be the picture (Fully describe the picture of the emblem here)

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

Membership in this Party is open to all Gambian citizens who are either qualified to vote or not but who profess to support the principles of GM.

GM on all levels shall support the broadest possible participation without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, sex, age, economic status, religion, or ethnic identity. The Party shall take whatever national existing law may be necessary
to ensure and encourage the fullest participation of all eligible members, and the Central Committee of the Party is empowered as hereinafter set forth to promulgate such rules, regulations, or requirements in furtherance of the goals of this Party.

No test for membership in, nor any oath of loyalty to, the Party shall be required or used which have the effect of requiring prospective or current members of the Party to acquiesce in, condone or support discrimination on the grounds of race, sex,
age, color, creed, religion, ethnic identify, or economic status. Membership card or dues shall be required of any person as a condition for being a bona fide member of this Party.

All public meetings at all levels of the Party shall be open to all members and supporters of the Party regardless of race, sex, color, creed, religion, ethnic identity, economic status, or philosophical persuasion.

GM and all units thereof shall publicize fully and, in such manner, as to assure all interested parties a full description of the legal and practical procedures for selection of Party officers and representatives on all levels. Publication of these procedures shall be done in such a fashion that all prospective and current members of each Party unit will be fully and adequately informed of the pertinent procedures in time to participate in each selection procedure at all levels of the Party organization.

ARTICLE III: PARTY STRUCTURE

The structure of GM shall consist of a Central Committee from each Administrative Area (be it a Region, City, or Municipality) of The Gambia. One representative from each Administrative Area shall serve as a member of the Central Committee. The Administrative Area Committee shall consist of two members from each Administrative Area and the Constituency Committee shall comprise of four members from each Ward in a Constituency.

In December, 2020, and every five years thereafter, caucuses shall be held for the purpose of electing the listed Committee members, except the Central Committee, and alternates duly apportioned to represent such Committees at a
National Convention. Officers for the Administrative Area Committee and Constituency Committee shall be elected by registered Party members in each Administrative Area and in each Constituency, respectively. These listed Committees will adopt Resolutions and conduct such other businesses as may come before it.

A National Convention shall be held in December, 2020, and every five years thereafter at a time and place to be designated by the Central Committee to elect officers of the Central Committee. Members of the Administrative Area Committee and Constituency Committee shall elect officers of the Central Committee. The Central Committee shall adopt a platform, to promulgate principles and Party rules, and take such further actions deemed proper by the Convention. The Convention may adjourn from day to day or to such time and place or times and places, as it may appear proper and desirable.

At least thirty days before the convening of the precinct caucuses, the Central Committee shall issue a convention call for the selection of delegates to the aforesaid Convention in accordance with the Party’s delegate selection plan and shall announce the specific times and places for said Conventions, along with the rules of procedures for the conduct of said Conventions.

Each registered Party member in any Administrative Area or Constituency before being allowed to vote or otherwise participate, shall sign the following statement of principles: “I, , hereby declare that I am a member of GM and am not affiliated with any other such political Party.”

The time and place for all public meetings of GM and units thereof, shall be publicized fully and in such manner as to assure timely notice to all interested persons. Such meetings shall be held in places accessible to all Party members and large enough to accommodate all Party members and supporters.

GM and all units thereof shall publicize fully and in such manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a complete description of the legal and practical qualifications of all officers and representatives of GM. Such publications shall be done in timely fashion so that all prospective candidates or applicants for any elected or appointed position within the Party will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for office.

ARTICLE IV: CENTRAL COMMITTEE

1. The provisions of this Article shall apply to the management of each Party unit, including Central Committee, Administrative Committee, and Constituency Committee.

2. The Central Committee shall be vested with all powers and authority to conduct the affairs of the Party until the close of the regular unit convention next following the election of the members of the Central Committee.

3. The Central Committee shall be elected by members of the Administrative Area Committee and Constituency Committee members.

4. The members of the Central Committee shall hold office for five years or until their successors are chosen.

5. Vacancies on the Central Committee may be filled by majority vote of the members present and voting at a duly called or regularly scheduled meeting not less than thirty (30) days after notice of the filling of vacancies is given.

6. The seat of any member of any Party unit Central Committee shall be declared vacant by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting at any regularly scheduled or called meeting of the Central Committee upon the happening of
one of the following:
(a) It is brought to the attention of the Central Committee in writing that a committee member has missed three or more consecutive regular meetings of the Committee for reasons other than illness or business.
(b) It is brought to the attention of the Committee that a committee member has publicly, actively, or financially supported the candidacy of any person not running as a member of GM, except in non- partisan elections.
(c) Malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office.
(d) Resignation.
(e) Death of a member.
(f) If a member moves his/her legal residence from his/her duly elected Constituency, he/she may be replaced.

7. Provided that before the seat of any Committee member is declared vacant,members of the Central Committee and the accused member whose seat is proposed to be vacated shall be given thirty (30) days written notice specifying the cause or causes in reasonable detail as to time, date, place, accusers and witnesses thereof. The accused member whose seat is proposed to be vacated may make a written request for a hearing before the Central Committee any time within the first twenty (20) days of such notice, but the written request for hearing shall be received by the Secretary of the Committee and a copy thereof by the Chairperson of the Committee not later than ten days prior to the date set for such meeting of said Central Committee. If such written request for a hearing before the Committee is so received, then in that event, the Committee shall grant a reasonable period of time during such meeting before the Central Committee shall take final action thereof. If no hearing is requested within such period of ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting, it shall be deemed acquiescence by the accused member to the Central Committee’s proposed declaration of vacancy and the accused member’s vacancy shall take effect upon approval of two-thirds of the membership present and voting of the Central Committee.

8. Any hearing held pursuant to this Article shall be private or public at the discretion of the accused member. The Committee and the accused member may be represented by legal counsel at their own expense, and such counsel may examine and cross-examine witnesses and present arguments. All guidance thereof shall be under the authority of the Chairperson with the consent and advice of the Parliamentarian. The Committee shall first present evidence to sustain the grounds for vacating the Committee member’s seat and there the accused member shall present his or her defense. The accuser and the accused may then present rebuttal evidence. The vacating of a member’s seat shall be based upon substantial, competent and reasonably prudent evidence. All witnesses shall be sworn upon oath to be administered by the Presiding Officer of the Central Committee. If requested, either by the accused member or the Committee, a Court reporter to record the proceedings at the hearing shall be obtained upon due and proper filing of cost bond therefore, and a transcript thereof may be purchased at their own expense. The Committee shall issue its decision and order in writing. If the Committee orders the seat vacated its decision shall include the findings of fact based upon the evidence presented and shall be served upon the accused member together with its order vacating the seat within ten days after the conclusion of the hearing by Gambia Postage Prepaid Mail, at accused member’s usual mailing address. If the decision of the Committee is favorable to the accused member, the proceedings shall be dismissed and the decision of dismissal entered into the Committee’s minutes.

9. All meetings of the Central Committee shall be open to the public except by majority vote of the members present and voting of the Committee to go into Central Session.

10. Meetings of the Central Committee may be called by the Committee Chairperson or by twenty-five (25) percent of the membership of the Committee. Written notice of the calling of Central Committee meetings shall be mailed to all Committee members at their last known mailing addresses not less than ten (10) nor more than twenty-one (21) days prior to such meetings except in emergencies whereupon the written notice and time requirements may be waived. The notice shall specify the time and place of the Central Committee meeting and contain an agenda.

11. A quorum for any Central Committee meeting shall consist of thirty-five percent (35%) of the members of said Committee.

12. Upon leaving office, each Party officer or employee shall turn over all Party records, books, finances, and other properties of the Central Committee to his/her successor or to the Central Committee itself.

ARTICLE V: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. All powers and authority to conduct any and all affairs of GM shall be vested in the Executive Committee of GM consisting of SEVEN Party members from each Administrative Area, all of whom shall be elected from delegates duly apportioned, of the Constituency Committee in a manner and method set by the Executive Committee to help ensure balance between men, women, youth and minorities, and announced at the time of the call of the Convention. The membership of the Executive Committee shall be equally divided between men and women.

2. The Executive Committee is empowered and authorized to conduct and certify Party elections and canvass returns as provided by law, certify Party primary candidates, establish Party Election Committees, and do all other duties conferred upon it by GM Constitution.

3. The Executive Committee shall have the power to elect its officers and shall be the final authority on any questions involving the Party, its officers, nominees and/or other Executive Committees. The Executive Committee, except as otherwise provided, shall have sovereign, original, appellate and supervisory power and jurisdiction of all Party matters throughout The Gambia and thereof between Conventions. It is empowered and authorized to prescribe and enforce rules, regulations, and penalties against the violation of Party loyalty, including removing or debarring from the Party office or Party privilege any within its jurisdiction, including a member of this Committee, who violates its rules or its lawful mandates.

4. The Executive Committee may review, on appeal, the decision of the Administrative Area Conventions or Committees, in all cases concerning the nomination of officers and all matters relating to rules and policies as hereinafter provided.

5. Members of the Central Committee, the Chairperson of the Constituency Committee, and the President of the official Young GM Group are ex-officio, non- voting members of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall meet on a regular basis at least once quarterly and upon such other occasions as may be necessary.

6. The Executive Committee, in the event sufficient cause should arise, and a majority of the membership of the Committee deem such to be necessary for the best interest of the Party and The Gambia, is authorized and empowered to reconvene all Party Conventions at any time the Executive Committee deems it necessary. The delegates chosen from the respective constituencies to a National Convention shall continue to be delegates from such constituencies to said Convention for a period of not later than the last day of the year in which the said Convention was held. Said Convention may be reconvened upon the call of the Chairperson of the Executive Committee at any time it is deemed in the best interest of the Party to do so, and the Chairperson shall issue said call for reconvening of the National Convention only by and with the approval of a majority of the Executive Committee. At least fourteen (14) days’ notice shall be given by the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the reconvening of the National Convention, such notice to be given by publication of the call of the Chairperson in any newspaper or newspapers, having general circulation throughout The Gambia, and by mailing said notice to each Chairperson of the respective Administrative and Constituency Executive Committees. In the event a National Convention is reconvened as herein provided, it may exercise all of the power and authority of a regular National Convention.

7. Salaried officers and employees of the Executive Committee or of GM shall refrain from endorsing or promoting the endorsement of primary candidates for elective or appointed office prior to their official endorsement of nomination by the Party. Further, salaried officers and employees of the Party or of the Executive Committee shall support only candidates endorsed or nominated by the Party.

8. There shall be established an Administrative Committee composed of the duly elected officers of the Executive Committee and the Chairpersons of all Standing Committees. The Secretary General of GM shall be an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Administrative Committee.

9. The Administrative Committee shall be empowered to act on behalf of the Executive Committee, in all party affairs between meetings of the Executive Committee, subject to subsequent approval of the Executive Committee.

10. The Administrative Committee shall have the authority to hire and discharge staff, set salaries, authorize the expenditures of funds for the benefit of the Party where the Executive Committee has previously approved a budget to support such expenditures, and it is authorized also to file the necessary registrations, certifications, and reports with Gambia government agencies as are necessary and authorize Party Campaign Committees pursuant to IEC Act and laws of The Gambia.

11. The Administrative Committee shall meet at least once on a quarterly basis and such other occasions as may be necessary. Members of the Executive Committee shall be notified of the time, date, and place of regular or called, shall be open to all members of the Executive Committee. The Secretary of the Administrative Committee within ten (10) days of an Administrative Committee meeting shall distribute to all members of the Executive Committee a summary of the Minutes of such meeting.

ARTICLE VI: STANDING COMMITTEES

1. The Standing Committees of the Executive Committee shall consist of ten (10) members on each Committee, and shall be chosen from among members of the Executive Committee, Administrative Area Committee, and Constituency Committee on an equal number as follows: 

(a) Elections Committee – the function of which is to keep abreast of all election laws, and to supervise the conduct of primary elections, the certification of candidates and election returns according to IEC Act and Gambian law;

(b) Budget & Finance Committee – the functions of which are to recommend an annual budget for the operation of the Party and to plan, develop and implement fundraising activities for GM. The Treasurer of the Executive Committee shall be an ex-officio member of this Committee;

(c) Party Development & Organization Committee – the function of which is to develop and implement plans for the strengthening of Party organization at all levels. Membership shall be ten from the Administrative Committee and Constituency Committee on an equal number basis. Men and women shall be equal represented members.

(d) Education & Membership Committee – the function of which is to develop and implement plans for carrying out educational activities for citizens of The Gambia and Party members on the purpose, philosophy, and activities of GM. Membership and composition of membership shall be the same as (c) above.

(e) Young GM Committee – the functions of which are to serve as liaison between Young GM organization and GM and to assist in the development of Young GM organizations in each constituency of The Gambia. Membership and composition of membership shall be the same as (c) above.

(f) Affirmative Action Committee – the function of which is to develop and implement an affirmative action plan for the Party as hereinafter provided; Membership and composition of membership shall be the same as (c) above.

(g) Campaign Committee – the functions of which are to serve as a liaison between duly certified GM candidates and the candidates’ campaign organization, during general election campaigns and to assist in the election of GM candidates. Membership and composition of membership shall be the same as (c) above.

(h) Voter Registration Committee – the function of which is to effect an on-going process, as well as special, concerted efforts and drives, for registering as many potential GM voters as possible; Membership and composition of membership shall be the same as (c) above.

(i) Platform Committee – the functions of which have to provide a forum for discussing issues of importance to GM members, to bring the results of those discussions to the Executive Committee, to develop the process by which the Party platform shall be produced and published during each Presidential election year, and to help provide platform deliberations of GM with input from the Administrative Areas and Constituencies; Membership and composition of membership shall be the same as (c) above.

(j) GM Women Committee – the functions of which are to serve as a liaison between the official GM Women and GM in general and to assist in the development of GM Women Federations in all the constituencies of The Gambia. Membership and composition of membership shall be the same as (c) above.

(k) Senior GM Committee – the function of which is to serve as a liaison between senior citizens and GM and to develop an on-going process by which GM encourages the active participation of senior citizens in GM activities. Membership and composition of membership shall be the same as (c) above.

1. The Chairperson of the Executive Committee shall appoint members and Chairpersons to the various Standing Committees subject to the ratification of the Executive Committee, provided, however, that each member of the Executive Committee shall serve on no more than two Standing Committees.

2. The Chairperson of the Executive Committee may name such other Committees, their Chairpersons, and members as shall be deemed necessary, subject to ratification by the Executive Committee.

3. The members of all Committees shall serve until elections of new Executive

Committee officers or until their successors are chosen.

ARTICLE VII: APPEALS COMMITTEE

1. To ensure fairness and prevent injustice in the internal operations of any Party organization, there shall be established an Appeals Council of the Executive Committee consisting of five members of the Executive Committee other than Administrative Committee members to be appointed by the Chairperson with the approval of the Executive Committee, whose members shall serve for five years unless they resign beforehand. Membership and composition of membership shall be the same as (c) above.

2. The Appeals Committee shall have jurisdiction over all matters of Party rules and the internal operations of GM at all levels, including the election of delegates or the operation of the various Executive Committees.

3. Any member of GM feeling aggrieved by the action, inaction, or decision of any official GM unit or organization may appeal such action or decision to the Appeals Committee.

4. No appeal shall lie before the Appeals Committee which has not been first presented in writing to the organizational unit against which the complaint is made and there has been reasonable opportunity for said organizational unit to act.

5. All appeals to the Appeals Committee shall be in writing, setting out the name and address of the complaining parties and the name or identification of the unit against which the complaint is made, a clear and concise statement or explanation of the complaint made before being made and the relief being sought. A copy of the initial complaint made before the unit complained about shall be attached to the appeal. The Appeals Committee shall promptly notify in writing the unit complained of that the appeal has been taken and shall attach to such notification a copy of all papers mentioned in this section. The unit complained of shall have the right to answer in writing the charges made against it, and the Appeals Committee shall take no action on said complaint until more than ten days after the serving of notice of said appeal on the unit

complained. The Appeals Committee shall take no action against the unit complained of without first having a hearing unless said unit shall fail to answer in writing within the time aforementioned.

6. The Appeals Committee shall be empowered to dismiss the appeal with or without a hearing. All decisions of the Appeals Committee for the purpose of investigating or taking evidence on the charges presented shall be rendered only after the giving of reasonable notice to the parties. At least ten days prior to any such hearing the Committee shall furnish all parties with a written set of procedural rules for the conduct of the hearing, the failure of which to do so shall render void any and all actions of the Appeals Committee until written procedural rules are furnished to all interested parties. The Appeals Committee shall not take any action against the unit complained of without a hearing if such unit within ten days of being notified of the appeal shall

request a hearing.

7. The Appeals Committee may fashion whatever relief it deems appropriate including the removal of any member from office or ordering new elections at any level.

8. The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final unless appealed in writing to the full Executive Committee within ten days of receipt of the Appeals Committee decision. An appeal to the full Executive Committee shall be perfected by mailing to the Co-chairpersons and Co-secretaries a copy of the appeal request, decisions of the Appeals Committee and appeal request filed with the Appeals Committee, and the decision of the Appeals Committee shall be held in abeyance until the Executive Committee renders final judgment on said appeal.

9. The Administrative Committee shall designate the time and place for hearing the appeal and shall prescribe the procedure for the conduct of the review within sixty days after this document goes into effect.

ARTICLE VIII: OFFICERS

1. Executive Committee officers shall be elected by and serve at the pleasure of the respective Executive Committee at the first meeting of the new unit Executive Committee following the unit convention and shall serve a term of five years or until their successors are chosen, unless removed by a majority vote of the members of each unit.

2. The officers of the Executive Committee of each Party unit shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice- chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian. In addition, the Executive Committee shall elect an Executive Vice Chairperson as hereinafter provided.

3. Chairperson – The duties of the Chairperson Hall be those as Chief Executive Officer. The Chairperson shall convene and preside at all official Party meetings and shall have such other powers and duties as may be granted to him or her from time to time by resolution of the governing body.

4. Executive Vice Chairperson – the Executive Vice-Chairperson shall share with the Chairperson in the appointment of Committee Chairpersons and Committee members and in the Chairing of the Executive Committee, shall chair the meetings of the Administrative Committee, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be granted to him or her from time to time by the Executive Committee. The Executive Vice-Chairperson shall be of the opposite gender from the Chairperson.

5. Vice Chairperson – the Vice-Chairperson shall in the absence of the Chairperson, convene and preside at all official Party meetings and shall assist the Chairperson in management of the business and financial affairs of the Party. In addition, the Vice-Chairperson shall provide leadership in Party organization and shall be responsible for political education of the Party officers at all levels. The Vice- Chairperson shall have such other powers and duties as may be provided from time to time by the resolution of the governing body. The Vice-Chairperson shall be of a different gender from the Chairperson.

6. Secretary – the Secretary shall be in charge of all the files and records of the Party and shall keep records of the Minutes of the proceedings of meetings of all official units of the Party including Party Conventions. All records shall be maintained at the office of the Party unit. The Secretary shall preserve such files except such as shall be in charge of the Treasurer and shall open them for inspection at a convenient and appropriate time at the request of any official of GM. A summary of the Minutes of each regular or special meeting of the Executive Committee shall be certified by the Secretary and mailed to each member of the Executive Committee within ten days of such meeting.

7. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall have custody of the funds of the Party and shall render written accounts of the receipts and disbursements of the Party to each meeting of the official Party unit Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall deposit all monies and valuables received in the name of and to the credit of the Party in such insured banks and depositories as the Committee shall designate by appropriate resolution. Upon resolution by the Executive Committee of the appropriate unit, the Treasurer shall be under sufficient bond in an amount to be determined by the Party unit. Copies of the Treasurers’ report shall be sent to all members of the Executive Committee of the appropriate Party unit as directed. The Treasurer shall write checks and expend money of the Party unit only as authorized by the budget or appropriate resolution and then only upon presentation of receipted bills, vouchers, or other appropriate written instruments and upon the countersignature of the Chairperson or other designated officer. The Treasurer shall be of a different gender from the Secretary.

8. Parliamentarian – the Parliamentarian shall advise the Chairperson on parliamentary procedures at all Party unit meetings and Conventions and shall, when called upon, make parliamentary and procedural rulings as to the conduct of such meetings.

9. The Executive Committee in a Party Convention, before the election of officers of any full term, may, by majority vote, elect to establish the positions of Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons as co-officers without changing the functions of each office to serve a term of five years or until their successors are chosen.

ARTICLE IX: FINANCES

1. An annual operating budget shall be approved by the Executive Committee at the beginning of each fiscal year, and no Party funds shall be expended for any purpose not provided for in said budget except with approval in advance of the Executive Committee.

2. No debts or financial obligations shall be incurred in the name of the Party by anyone except as authorized by the budget or appropriate resolution.

3. An audit of all financial records and transactions of the Party unit shall be made at least annually and at such other times as may be required by the Executive Committee of the GM.

4. No fundraising activities shall be carried out in the name of the Party at any level without the prior approval of the Executive Committee of the appropriate Party unit. Before any Party fundraising activity is authorized, the Executive Committee shall appoint a person or persons to be in charge of the receipt and disbursement of monies in connection with such event, and to ensure a proper, full and accurate accounting of monies received and expended for such event. The person or persons in charge of the financial affairs of the said event shall keep complete and accurate records for inspection by any Executive Committee member and shall, within a reasonable time make a financial report to the Executive Committee on the said activity or event.

5. The Executive Committee may, by appropriate resolution, authorize the establishment of one or more campaign accounts for the purpose of receiving and disbursing funds for conducting general election campaigns, which accounts shall be separate and distinct from the regular Party accounts and budgets and other provisions of this article and shall be handled by a person or persons designated by the Executive Committee. Each such account shall include the special designation of “campaign funds” in its account name. The Party is authorized to receive and expend funds designated for such campaign purposes.

ARTICLE X: ADMINISTRATIVE AREA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. The Administrative Area Executive Committee shall consist of a Party member elected from each District and three more members to be nominated by the Chairperson of the Administrative Area Committee in consultation with the Party Executive Committee. The nominated members of this Committee shall have no voting right in the decisions to be made by the Committee members. The Administrative Area Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Administrative Area Party unit between conventions and on such occasions as [may] be necessary.

2. The Administrative Area Executive Committee shall meet once every six months in each year and on such other occasions as may be necessary.

3. Administrative Area Executive Committees shall certify Party candidates on the Administrative Area level, shall conduct Party primaries, and shall canvass and certify election returns in accordance with the election laws of The Gambia.

4. Within ninety days after the adoption of this Constitution, Administrative Area Executive Committees shall meet and adopt rules not in conflict with this Constitution. In the absence of the adoption of such rules, the rules adopted in this Constitution shall prevail. A copy of the rules and any revisions adopted by any Administrative Area Executive Committee shall be filed with the Secretary of the Party Executive Committee and certified by the Party Administrative Committee and approved by the Party Executive Committee itself before becoming valid. The Secretary of the Party Executive Committee shall maintain and make available for public inspection copies of the rules of each Administrative Area Executive Committee on file in the Party Headquarters.

5. Vacancies on an Administrative Area Executive Committee may be declared for any of the reasons and in accordance with the provisions set forth in Article IV of this Constitution.

ARTICLE XI: DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. Any Chairperson of an Administrative Area Executive Committee desiring to select a District Executive Committee for a District within an Administrative Area which does not already have a District Executive Committee shall upon petition of five or more members of the Party residing in the District call a meeting of the Party electors residing in said District call a meeting of the Party electors residing in said District, and at such meeting the members present shall select an Executive Committee which shall serve until the next District primary election. Each District Executive Committee shall have ten members which shall be elected.

2. The District Executive Committee shall perform the same executive committee duties as are specified by law and this Constitution for other Party units. Each District Executive Committee shall be elected in the primary elections held for the nomination of candidates for District office and shall be elected by the same election districts by which the elective officers of the District are elected. The names of all persons desiring to be a candidate for the nomination in the primary elections shall be furnished to the District Executive Committee at least thirty days prior to the first primary election. The officers shall revise and prepare the poll books and ballots, and the managers and other officials of the primary election committee shall be appointed by the District Executive Committee and the returns of said election shall be made to such District Executive Committee. Vacancies on the Executive Committee shall be filled by the District Executive Committee.

ARTICLE XII: DELEGATES

1. Delegates to the GM national Convention shall be elected in accordance with the applicable delegate selection process and rules of GM.

2. Seventy-five percent of the National Convention Delegates and alternates shall be elected by delegates at the Administrative Area conventions. The remaining twenty-five percent shall be elected at large by the delegates at the Party Convention in a manner and method to be designated by the Executive Committee to help ensure balance between men, women, youth, and minorities.

3. Delegate selection at any unit level will be in accordance with the rules of GM with regards to religion and ethnicity.

4. The unit rule shall not be used at any stage of the delegate selection process within any Party unit or delegation.

5. No person participating in any unit of Party affairs shall be required to cast a vote or be recorded as voting contrary to that person’s expressed preference or best judgment.

6. At least ninety days before the convening of precinct caucuses, the Executive Committee shall adopt and make readily accessible rules and procedures covering all aspects of the delegate selection rules and process including, but not limited to, the apportionment of delegates and votes within the country, the allocation of fractional votes and nomination of delegates and alternates, the succession of alternates to delegate status and the filling of vacancies in delegate positions, the selection and responsibilities of convention committees, credentials challenges, and minority reports. The Affirmative Action Committee shall be empowered to draft and propose to the Executive Committee for ratification by the Executive Committee a delegate selection plan in conformity with the rules and policies of GM and the affirmative action goals of this Party.

7. The slate of delegates to the National Party Convention shall choose a Chairperson and Vice- Chairperson of said delegation, who shall perform all the duties customarily required of said officials under the usual rules of parliamentary procedure.

8. Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed as calling for or prohibiting the Executive Committee at the option under Gambian law from electing to conduct a Presidential Primary and formulating rules and regulations for conducting such primary.

ARTICLE XIII: CERTIFICATION OF CANDIDATES

1. The Executive Committee, or any specially designated subcommittee thereof shall be empowered to certify candidates for primary elections, to certify elections, to certify primary election returns, and to hear and decide election disputes.

2. No candidate shall be certified to run in a GM Primary for any office: 

(a) who has not met the statutory qualifications to run for such office;

(b) who is not in accord with the principles and rules of GM as set forth in the Constitution and bylaws and the standard or principles of the Party; and 

(c) who will not pledge to support the candidacy of all Party nominees at all levels running in the same general election for which nomination is being sought.

3. No candidate, while holding elective office as a GM official, shall be certified to run in a GM Primary for any office:

(a) who has participated in a primary of any other political party within the past twelve months by either voting or running for office in such primary; or

(b) who has within the preceding four years publicly or financially supported the election to office of any person not running as a GM member.

4. This amendment shall become effective 1 st December 2021.

ARTICLE XIV: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

1. In order to implement the affirmative action goals of this Party, the Chairperson of the Executive Committee shall appoint an Affirmative Action Committee whose terms shall run until the election of a new Executive Committee or their successors are chosen, whichever is later.

2. The duties of the Affirmative Action Committee shall include, but not be limited to, the development of an Affirmative Action Committee subject to ratification and approval of the Executive Committee; the implementation of the specific requirements of the plan; publicizing and disseminating time information about the plan and the delegate selection process; conducting investigations and hearings into alleged violations of the plan at any level of Party affairs or activities; and monitoring the affirmative action efforts of the Party at all levels.

3. The Affirmation Action Committee provided for by Article XIV hereof shall not be appointed until after the organization in 2019 of the Executive Committee; and until that time the existing ten-member Affirmative Action Committee shall serve as such Committee.

ARTICLE XV: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

1. The most recent edition of Roberts Rules of Order shall govern all conventions and meetings of any unit of GM.

ARTICLE XVI: BYLAWS

1. Bylaws concerning matters not expressly governed by nor in conflict with this Constitution may be adopted by majority vote of the Executive Committee members present and voting.

ARTICLE XVII: AMENDMENTS

1. This Constitution may be amended by majority vote of the delegates assembled at any National Convention or by two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee at any Executive Committee meeting specially called for such purpose, with the proposed amendments submitted in writing to each Executive Committee member at least thirty days prior to said meeting.

ARTICLE XVIII: SEVERABILITY

1. If any provision or clause of this Constitution or application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Constitution which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application; and to this end the provisions of this Constitution are declared to be severable.

ARTICLE XIX: EFFECTIVE DATE

1. This Constitution shall become effective from and after adoption thereof by a majority vote of the Executive Committee members present and voting at a special called meeting.

This is our proposal as a party, and we intend to keep this promise and any additional constructive suggestions are invited.

The core values of a GM government are:

1. Tolerance for expression of individual opinions (i.e. free speech and information)

2. Religious tolerance

3. Advancement of education, research, and business innovation

4. Provision of universal healthcare

5. Promote healthy and nutritious food production and processing

6. Safeguard national security

7. Promote and enhance industrial development

8. Promote climate change initiatives

9. Promote international trade and cooperation