By Kebba A.F. Touray
The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), with support from the EU-UNDP GREAT Initiative, has launched a community sensitisation campaign ahead of the December 5 presidential election, focusing on political tolerance, civic rights and responsibilities and the importance of credible elections.
The campaign, being conducted under the theme “Informed Citizens: The Pillar of Credible Elections and Resilient Democracy”, began on Sunday, 9 August 2026, with community engagements in the Central River Region (CRR) and Upper River Region (URR).
The sensitisation sessions are focusing on four key areas: the importance of credible elections, electoral codes of conduct, civic rights and responsibilities, and political tolerance and its role in sustaining peace.
The campaign has brought together men, women, young people and persons with disabilities in different communities.
The first engagements included Niamina Dankunku in the Central River Region and Nyamanar and Misiraba Mariama in the Upper River Region.
During the sessions, community members were encouraged to understand their civic rights and responsibilities and the role they play in the electoral process.
The discussions also focused on the importance of credible elections and the need for citizens and political actors to respect electoral rules.
Participants were reminded of the importance of political tolerance in maintaining peace, particularly as the country approaches the 2026 presidential election.
The sessions concluded with a common emphasis on democracy as enshrined in the 1997 Constitution.
Participants reaffirmed the constitutional principle that sovereignty resides in the people and that elections provide the main avenue through which citizens exercise that power.
The NCCE continued the campaign on Monday, 10 August, with simultaneous community engagements in the Upper River and Central River regions.
The Monday sessions were held in Kulari and Dingiri in the Upper River Region and Kerr Malima and Jareng in the Central River Region.
The engagements focused particularly on citizens’ participation in elections and how active participation can strengthen democracy and good governance.
At the Jareng engagement, the Alkalo, Alasan Ceesay, welcomed the timing of the sensitisation campaign as the country moves closer to the elections.
Ceesay said the engagement was important in helping citizens understand the value of participating in elections and respecting the electoral code of conduct.
He said such understanding would contribute to a peaceful and credible presidential election in 2026.
The discussions also addressed concerns about tribal discrimination in political engagements.
Kandeh Waggeh of Dingiri said tribal discrimination was becoming more visible in political discussions and called on Gambians to reject divisions based on ethnicity.
“Tribal discrimination is rising in political engagements, but The Gambia has a long history of peaceful coexistence and intermarriage across ethnic lines,” Waggeh said.
He urged Gambians to protect national unity and reject tribalism.
Waggeh also encouraged citizens to participate actively in elections, including the forthcoming local government and National Assembly polls.
The community engagements provided an opportunity for residents to ask questions, share their experiences and discuss issues relating to elections and civic participation.
Community members actively participated in the discussions and were encouraged to recognise the importance of every vote in the democratic process.
The NCCE also used the engagements to call on eligible voters to participate actively in the upcoming elections.
The Council urged citizens to uphold peace and political tolerance and to respect the electoral code of conduct.
The sensitisation campaign is expected to continue across communities as part of efforts to promote civic awareness ahead of the December 5 presidential election.
The NCCE renewed its call for eligible voters to participate in the electoral process and contribute to what it described as a credible, transparent and inclusive election. The Council also encouraged citizens to exercise their civic rights responsibly while respecting the rights of others and maintaining peace during the electoral period.
