The
National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) has taken its civic and voter
education sensitization exercise to Central River Region (CRR) South, where 20
communities are currently being sensitised on their rights and
responsibilities.
The
NCCE is an independent non-partisan
council, created under the constitution, to cultivate an environment of
democratic continuity in The Gambia that will enable all citizens to fully
participate in the governance process of the country, through the promotion of
political and civic consciousness and the promotion of rights and freedoms of
all citizens in accordance with the constitution of The Gambia and other
regional and international human rights instruments to which the Gambia is a
signatory.
The
sensitization exercise, being carried out to educate citizens on their rights
and responsibilities as electorate, and the importance of their active
participation in politics, kicked off on Monday 3 October 2016.
It
is being conducted in the following communities: Samba Tacko, Librass, Dobong
Kunda, Sukurr Kunda, Sankulay Kunda, Faraba, Boiram, Dasilami, Kerewan Demba,
Kudang, Sotokoi, Mamutfana, Pinai Mandinka, Sambang Mandinka, Demba Kunda,
Katamina, Gissadi, Baro Kunda, Sambang Wollof and Dankunku in the districts of
Upper Fulladu West, Lower Fulladu West, Niamina East, Niamina West and Niamina
Dankunku.
The
activities are funded by the UNDP.
Speaking
at Samba Tacko village, Junkung Saidy, Senior Civic Officer at NCCE, said every
citizen that has met the requirements has the right to vote for and be voted
for.
Mr
Saidy added that all political parties have the same rights in the country, and
every citizen has the right to be affiliated to the party of his or her choice.
He
also called on everyone to exercise their civic rights by going out to vote on
Election Day, as a single vote can make one win or lose the election.
He
urged women and the youths to change their attitude towards politics, saying
they constitute the majority of the population, but “do not mostly fully take
part in politics”.
Power
lies with the citizens as they are the ones that normally elect those in
positions of power.
Kebba
Jobe, NCCE Civic Officer, in his remarks on the occasion, urged citizens to
vote in someone who can take the nation forward, adding that the country needs
a leader who will bring about more development in all sectors and domains of
the nation, such as schools, markets, roads, water, health and other areas.
Mr
Jobe described elections as important as they bring peace and stability to a
nation.
He
also noted that the constitution has given every citizen the right to freedom
of speech, conscience, assembly, association and movement.
He
urged people to give equal value to all elections in the country.
A
native of Samba Tacko village, Sulayman Sam, commended the NCCE for educating
them on their rights and responsibilities.
The
level of people’s awareness about politics and elections “is still low”, hence
the sensitization should be carried out nationwide, he said.
