fé & edmar
the dream of democracy
It was considered “one of the most promising initiatives” in the democratic transition of the country: the GOSCE (Grupo das Organizações da Sociedade Civil para as Eleições - Group of civil society organizations for the elections) is a coalition of a dozen national organizations. Founded in 2012 following the military coup, it aims to recognize and promote the full participation of citizens in the functioning of democracy.
Fé and Edmar are two legal members of GOSCE. Active in politics from below since the time of University, they say that the association was responsible for the monitoring of the parliamentary elections in April and May 2014, in which 13 candidates competed for the presidency and 15 political parties vied for seats in the National Assembly to form a new government.
They explain that the 2014 election was the first step towards a long-term commitment to solve the problems that the transition period has caused, jeopardizing the country's progress in the years ahead. To find a solution to these problems the two young men believe in the union of all the representatives of the company.
"The resolution of all the problems of Guinea Bissau can only pass through a communion of efforts among the political leaders, organizations of the international community and those of civil society, to allow citizens to participate in political processes, to ensure greater political commitment, to defend the common interests and national reconciliation."
With the NGO OneWorld UK and with the support of the European Union delegation, the GOSCE adopted an online platform - www.bissauvote.com - on which record and from all over the country to map real-time data transmitted on the conduct of the election campaign and elections.
They were mobilized about 400 citizens, called monitores, who sent SMS reports on five types of information: the tone of the speeches and behavior of candidates during the election campaign, the independence of the media in election coverage, and civic education initiatives on right to vote, the turnout at the polling stations and the voting process transparency.
Based on the monitoring carried out by monitores on the field, the information has been divided into “positive situations” indicating the smooth conduct of the elections and in “negative situations” corresponding to incidents of insecurity, violation of rights or irregularities. SMS sent by monitores were verified, coded and posted online by a group of volunteers based in a central office in Bissau. In some cases, given the seriousness of the situation denounced, it was necessary physically send on-site authorities. (Photo taken from Flickr profile of OneWorld UK)
“The largest voter turnout ever”, so have spoken the national and international observers on the 2014 general election, which was attended by more than 80% of the population.
Overall, “the elections went well and were usually peaceful” said GOSCE. Today, a year after the vote, the commitment is for a bill to ensure that control of the electoral process becomes an integral part of the democratic system in Guinea Bissau.
Feeling Guineans and connected with their country, to work for the common good and for justice, have a role in the construction and reconstruction of Guinea Bissau. All this, for Fé and Edmar, is the Guinendadi.
