In a bid to stave off voter indifference in the much-anticipated December 4 Presidential polls in the Gambia, the country’s National Council for Civic Education better known as NCCE, has been sensitizing citizens on their civic rights and duties, and the need to nurture peace.
The Senior Programme Officer of NCCE, Mr. Ansumana Ceesay has, during a 10-day massive civic and voter education campaign in the Upper Region Region (URR), made a clarion call on eligible Gambian voters to come out in large numbers and vote for their candidates of choice, come December,
It would be noted that two teams of NCCE campaigners were deployed in URR North and South, simultaneously conducting face-to-face community sensitization meetings, convened in Demba Wundu, Mamadi Ceesay Kunda, Sare Gubu Basiru and Misra in Sandu District of URR North. Other similar engagements were held in the settlements of Bolibana, Brikama, Songkunda and Jawo Kunda, all in Kantora District-URR South.
The sensitization campaign, which took the form of a face-to-face engagement, was launched in Bolibana village of Kantora District on 21st October 2021, as part of the first-phase of what is called a ‘nationwide whistle-stop sensitization’ to promote civic awareness for increased electoral participation.
The 10 days outreach targeted about 40 major communities in the URR geared towards enhancing citizens’ understanding and appreciation of their civic rights and duties of voting as well as spur inclusive and popular participation in the elections; and also promote political tolerance in this charged political fever.
Recently, as Ceesay pointed out, the NCCE has taken other significant steps towards enhancing political participation in the Gambia, particularly during the general voter registration period when similar campaigns were organized, galvanizing Gambians to get registered. He said they now hope to translate that momentum to an unprecedented voter turnout in the election.
Senior Programme Officer Ceesay also called on the youth and women, who constitute the majority of Gambian voters, to continue their contribution to guarding the democratic gains the Gambia had attained over the years, while advising them not to allow themselves to be used as pawns in the political chess game. He reminded his audience that the Gambia is universally known as the Smiling Coast of Africa and a shining example when it comes to stability. He thus encouraged every Gambian to remain committed to the country’s pursuit of holding successful, inclusive, credible and peaceful elections.
Describing the upcoming December 4th Presidential election as ‘just more than electing a president but also a litmus test for Gambia’s burgeoning democracy’, the NCCE official explained to the gathering that the sensitization is geared towards promoting citizen’s political consciousness, the culture of political tolerance, peace, and security throughout the electoral process as well as increasing public awareness about civic and political rights. He appealed to the citizenry to be law-abiding and promote peace.
Ceesay outlined that the voter education campaign messages are focusing on the principles of democracy, the importance of voting and holding elections, constitutional guarantee for political rights, nomination requirements for presidential candidates, important dates for the 2021 presidential election, Code of Conduct for election, political tolerance and its importance. He indicated that these messages are geared towards empowering the citizens with requisite knowledge for active participation in the upcoming presidential election. He’s of the belief that the upcoming election would be a pivotal moment to sustain and solidify the momentous achievements of the historic 2016 Presidential election and cement the democratic trajectory of the country.
Ceesay disclosed that NCCE, in the weeks and months ahead, intends to execute a robust nationwide civic education campaign using the media and grassroots structures to reach out to as many Gambians as possible with a specific focus on voter education, sensitization, mobilization and peace messages, to ensure the electoral process is inclusive, participatory and peaceful.
