Libreville, Saturday November 16, 2024 (Gabon News) – 48,000 Gabonese people are called to the polls this Saturday to approve or reject the new constitution submitted by the government in a referendum.
At this time, voters will choose between Yes (Green Card) and No (Red Card) to confirm this law that politicians, civil society and other citizens have defined and explained to the the crowd of the various articles during the referendum campaign from 6 November to 6 November. 15, 2024.
On one side are the supporters of No led by former Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, who was a candidate for the 2023 presidential election Albert Ondo Ossa, former Vice President of the Republic Pierre -Claver maganga Moussavou who campaigned with political and related platforms. to deny what they said was the monarchy or autocratic aspect of the new basic law. Not to mention the discriminatory nature of this project and the establishment of a hybrid regime.
Around No, the political parties PPG, ACR, etc. were aligned. and people like Jean Remy Yama, Marcel Libama and many others.
On the other hand, the Yes campaign teams explained to the voters the great progress of this draft text which gives sovereignty to the people, more space for civil society, culture and the promotion of republican values and takes care of minority languages .
Yes followers also pointed to the independence of justice that everyone wanted, transparency in the management of public resources, strengthening counter-powers, effective distribution of power as well as dialogue as a means of conflict resolution.
This group also included heavyweights, politicians, lawyers and association leaders such as the current Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima, Deputy Prime Minister Alexandre Barro Chambrier, Alfred Nguia Banda, Jean Delors Biyogue Bi Ntougou, Marc Ona Essangui, Geoffroy Foumboula Libeka, Leandre Zue, etc.
So the movement was completely on the ground where we found academics to separate the new constitution with the aim of enlightening the Gabonese lantern. However, the supporters of both sides who worked with the voters all spoke about the interests of Gabon and living together which must be at the forefront.
As the Head of State, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, explained in his address to the nation the day before the referendum campaign, the movement in Gabon is not a movement of one camp against another, but a whole population that united in its diversity, rich in its differences.
“I especially insist that every opinion counts, that every voice deserves to be heard. Whether you are for or against this project, your opinion contributes to the national debate. Inform yourself, discuss, participate in public discussions on this constitutional project,” said Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema who also received audience members No to this referendum.
And he said: “We are all children of the same nation, heirs of the same history and architects of the same future”.
In the end, on the evening of November 16, the new constitution could be approved based on the movement on the ground. But the big unknown is still the level of participation in this election that encouraged international observers coming especially from the United States and the European Union. The polling stations are open from 7am to 6pm.
Note that the adoption of the new constitution will mark the beginning of another era in Gabon for free and transparent elections where the results of the ballot boxes will be respected.
FIN/INFOSGABON/SM/2024
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