both parties to make their submissions on the Merits of the Communication. On 11 December 2008, both parties were informed of the decision and subsequently requested to submit their arguments on the Merits of the Communication within three months on or before 11 March 2009. 15. On various dates between January and March 2009, the Complainants requested and were granted extension to make their submissions three weeks outside the set deadline. The Complainants submissions were therefore due on 1 April 2009. On 27 March 2009, the Commission requested the State to make its submissions on the Merits of the Communication ‘without further delay’ and subsequently informed it of its intention to take a decision at its 45 th Ordinary Session scheduled from 13 to 28 May 2009 in Banjul, The Gambia and requested it to submit its arguments on the Merits of the Communication without further delay. 16. On 1 April 2009, the Secretariat of the Commission received an email from Complainants transmitting their submissions on the Merits of the Communication to the Commission. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the Complainants’ submissions on 6 April 2009 and informed the Complainant of its decision to forward the same to the Respondent State for their comments. On 9 April 2009, the Respondent State acknowledged receipt of the Commission’s Note Verbale of the 27 March 2009, and joined issues with the Commission on alleged procedural lapses, stating that the Admissibility decision was taken without the involvement of the Respondent State. On 16 April 2009, the Secretariat of the Commission acknowledged receipt of the Respondent State’s Note Verbale dated 9 April 2009 and informed the Respondent State that the issues raised by the Respondent State would be tabled before the Commission during its 45th Ordinary Session scheduled for 13 to 28 May 2009, in Banjul, The Gambia. 5|P a g e