Building on the achievements and lessons from the first phase, the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) has continued its intensive civic and voter sensitization campaign.
The sensitizations, marking the second phase of the voter outreach, cover communities in the North Bank Region (NBR), Lower River Region (LRR), and West Coast Region (WCR).
Conducted under the theme “Informed Citizens: The Pillar of Credible Elections and Resilient Democracy,” this second phase further strengthens ongoing efforts to prepare citizens for the December 5, 2026, Presidential Election.
The continuation comes at a critical time as the country moves closer to the polls, with a growing need for citizens to remain informed, tolerant, and actively engaged in the democratic process.
During the engagement in Kerr Ardo, Fatou Touray called for greater participation of women in national political programs. She encouraged women to “make effective use of their numerical strength by actively participating in politics and supporting the emergence of more women candidates in elections.”
In Kantora, Bakary Sanyang emphasized the importance of political tolerance and peaceful coexistence. He noted, “All that we have learnt here is what we are practicing in our community. If we use politics as a weapon to fight each other, we will not achieve our goals.”
He added that while there are many political parties, “we should support the one we believe is right for us and move on peacefully. No one can claim to be the founder or creator of a tribe. We must therefore be tolerant and peaceful for successful elections.”
Local leaders and community members warmly welcomed the NCCE’s engagements and appreciated the opportunity to discuss important civic and electoral issues directly within their communities.
The Council stated that the face-to-face sessions “allowed community members to engage with civic educators, better understand their rights and responsibilities under the Constitution and Electoral Act.”
The Council further indicated that the sessions also provided communities with the opportunity to openly discuss concerns about political division and the upcoming elections.
By combining immersive community dialogues with interactive radio programs that capture widespread public participation, “the NCCE is successfully bridging information gaps, fostering mutual tolerance across deep political divides, and ensuring that inclusive participation remains a practical reality for every single Gambian.”
As the December 5 election approaches, the NCCE stated that these grassroots engagements are helping citizens become better informed about their rights and responsibilities and the importance of peaceful participation.
“An informed and responsible citizenry is essential for peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections in The Gambia,” said the NCCE.
