After the conclusion of its intensive civic and voter education sensitization meetings held in 40 communities across Upper River Region (URR), the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) has resumed with the Second and Third (2nd&3rd) phases of the nationwide sensitization campaign, currently being implemented in Central River Region (CRR), North Bank Region (NBR), Lower River Region (LRR), and West Coast Region (WCR) ahead of the December 4, 2021 Presidential polls.
The Senior Programme Officer (SPO) of NCCE Mr. Ansumana Cessay, has advised community leaders to desist from stopping or blocking politicians from holding rallies or meetings in their communities. He outlined the objectives of the sensitization, saying the upcoming December 4th election is just more than electing a president, but also a ‘litmus test’ to Gambia’s growing democracy.
Therefore, the sensitization is geared towards promoting citizens’ political consciousness, culture of political tolerance, peace and security throughout the electoral process as well as increase public awareness about civic and political rights, he informed.
Ceesay also indicated that the sensitization meetings are meant to encourage massive public participation, and high voter turnout in the forthcoming December election as he urged the citizenry to be law-abiding and promote peace. He bluntly told them that political campaigns are more than wearing political t-shirts, sitting on vehicle rooftops, clapping and dancing to any kind {of election} promises being made by a politician, among other offhand political participation.
He reminded that political campaigns are very essential in any competitive free and fair elections; and referring to section 85 to 96 of the Elections Act, he explained that political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to provide information about political parties, candidates and their policies and programmes in an attempt to influence the decision of the electorate.
“The process is critical in helping the voters to make an informed choice among the contesting candidates and parties on election day,” Ceesay added. NCCE encourages citizens to attend campaign rallies of all the politicians who came to their areas, or endeavour to read and listen to the policies and programmes of those parties or candidates, as that would enable them to make informed choices on the 4th December Presidential election, Ceesay pointed out.
He said their voter education campaign messages are focusing on the principles of democracy, importance of voting and holding elections, political rights guaranteed by the constitution, camping ethics, Code of Conduct for election, political tolerance and its importance. The messages are geared towards empowering the citizens with requisite knowledge for active participation in the upcoming presidential election.
The nationwide sensitization campaign, supported and funded by UNDP Office in The Gambia, is in a form of face-to-face community engagement, and it’s launched in Mabally Kuta Village in Upper Fulladu West District on Thursday, 11th November, 2021 and would end on 30th November 2021 .
The second and third phases of the whistle-stop sensitization is expected to last for 20 days, covering 80 major communities in the CRR, NBR, LRR and WCR, so as to enhance the understanding and appreciation of citizens, especially the rural dwellers, on their civic rights and duties of voting as well as spur inclusive and popular participation in the elections; and to promote political tolerance in this thrilling political fever.
