Posted by Chester Morton / Wednesday, 13 June 2018 / No comments
The major features of the 1960 constitution of the Gambia
THE MAIN
FEATURES OF THE 1969 CONSTITUTION OF THE GAMBIA
Introduction
Edward
Henry Windley became the Governor-General of the Gambia on the 19th
of June, 1958. He held that position until 29th March, 1962. While
he was in office, another constitution was introduced in 1960. The main
features of the new constitution were improvements upon the previous one in
1954.
THE MAIN
FEATURES OF THE 1960 CONSTITUTION
House of
Representatives
The new
constitution made provisions for the creation of a House of representatives. In
all, nineteen elected seats were created, twelve for the Protectorates and
seven for the colony. Eight seats were created for the chiefs. The Governor-General
was also a member. There was a position for the Speaker of the House. The
Speaker was appointed by the Governor-General in consultation with the members
of the House. Other members of the House of Representatives included, the Civil
Secretary, the Financial Secretary, the Attorney-General and the Commissioner
for Local Government. Three additional members were nominated to the House.
Speaker
of the House of Representatives
The
constitution made provisions for the position of a Speaker of the House of
Representatives. The Speaker was to be appointed by the Governor-General after
consulting members of the House.
The Chief Minister (Executive)
A
provision was made for the creation of the post of a Chief Minister. This
position was similar to the position of a Prime Minister. However, the chief
Minister was not appointed until March of the following year when Governor-General
Windley appointed Pierre Sarr N’Jie as the Chief Minister in March 1961 after
securing the support of the majority of the chiefs in the House of
Representatives. The Chief Minster was the Head of the Executive.
Judiciary
The
judiciary was headed by Joseph Wiseham, who had been the Chief Justice since
1957. He was responsible for supervising the administration of justice in the
entire colony and protectorate of the Gambia.
SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE CONSTITUTION
House of
Representatives
One of
the significant aspects of this constitution was that it name of the
Legislative Council was changed to the House of Representatives and the
membership was greatly expanded and diversified.
Increased
elected seats
Another
significant part of the constitution was that the number of elected members was
increased. There were, under the constitution, nineteen elected seats. Twelve
constituencies were created under the constitution for the protectorates and
seven constituencies were created for the colony.
Chief
Minister
The
creation of the position of a Chief Minister was a novelty. This was the first
time the position was created. However, the appointment of a suitable person to
fill the position was not to have been until March, the following year. Pierre
Sarr N’Jie was appointed by the Governor-General as the Chief Minister.
Universal
Adult Suffrage
The
constitution was also significant because, for the time, every adult was
eligible to vote in the elections. This marked the beginning of the
introduction of the universal adult suffrage into the body politic of the
Gambia. However, the universal adult suffrage was not absolute, like all others. People not with
sound mind, for example, were not eligible to vote.
DISADVANTAGES
OF THE 1960 CONSTITUTION
Limited
powers of the Chief Minister
Though it
is true that an African had been appointed to head the Executive, full
self-government had not yet been attained at this point.
Powers of
the Governor-General
The
Governor-General was still in full control of the colony. The Chief Minister
must still look up to him in the taking of major decisions. He had to
continuously look over his shoulders to check if what he was doing was in line
with the policy directions of the British, represented by the Governor-General.
SAMPLE
QUESTION(S)
1. a. What
were the major features of the 1960 constitution of the Gambia?
b. Highlight four significant improvements
of the 1960 constitution over the 1954 constitution.
The main features of the 1951 constitution of the Gambia
The main features of the 1954 constitution of the Gambia
The main features of the 1947 constitution of the Gambia
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