NCCE Urges Voter Participation, Warns Against Hate Speech Ahead of Dec. 5 Election

By Seedy Jobe

The National Council for Civic Education has urged Gambians to participate actively and responsibly in the Dec. 5 presidential election, warning that voter apathy and hate speech could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

Speaking Tuesday on QTV’s “This Morning” program, senior NCCE officials said democracy requires more than registering to vote. Citizens, they said, should educate themselves about the candidates, participate peacefully in the political process, and cast their ballots on Election Day.

Momodou A.H. Bah, a senior program officer at the NCCE, said the council’s civic education efforts continue throughout the year, despite a public perception that its work intensifies only around elections.

Mr. Bah said a recent NCCE convergence was intended to update the public on its civic education programs, including supplementary voter education that began before the Independent Electoral Commission released its election calendar.

Much of that work, he said, has focused on helping citizens understand the responsibilities that come with obtaining a voter’s card.

Mr. Bah described registering to vote as an investment of time and resources in exercising a constitutional right. But obtaining a voter’s card, he said, is only the beginning. He encouraged voters to listen to candidates campaigning in their communities, assess their proposals, and make informed choices based on the kind of leadership they want.

“You cannot just sit down and fold your arms, not participating in elections,” Mr. Bah said. “If you feel like the system is not doing well, you have to vote to empower the system to continue. If you feel like the system needs to change, then you have to come out and vote.”

Philip Gomez, a program officer at the NCCE, said responsible political participation means not only registering but also turning out to vote. A citizen who obtains a voter’s card but chooses not to use it, he said, is failing to fully exercise the opportunity provided by the democratic process.

Mr. Gomez stressed that political participation must also remain within the law, saying democracy provides citizens with avenues to make their voices heard without resorting to unlawful conduct.

The officials also warned against hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric during the campaign, particularly attacks directed at individuals, ethnic groups, or religious communities.

Mr. Gomez said such rhetoric could discourage citizens from participating in elections and weaken confidence in the democratic process. Political parties and candidates, he added, should focus on policies and ideas rather than personal attacks.

He also urged political leaders to set an example for their supporters, particularly as campaign messages spread rapidly through social media and other public platforms.

The NCCE officials said reducing voter apathy and discouraging hate speech would help create an electoral environment in which citizens can participate freely and peacefully.

They urged Gambians to treat the Dec. 5 election not simply as a political contest, but as an opportunity to exercise their civic rights and responsibilities through informed and lawful participation.