By Kebba A.F. Touray

The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) has called on Gambians to embrace political tolerance, respect diversity and participate peacefully in the 5 December 2026 presidential election.

The call was made during a series of community engagements in the Upper River Region, where NCCE officials sensitised citizens on their civic rights and responsibilities and the importance of peaceful participation before, during and after elections. The engagements are part of the NCCE’s wider civic education campaign under the theme, “Informed Citizens: The Pillar of Credible Elections and Resilient Democracy,” with support from the European Union-United Nations Development Programme’s GREAT Initiative.

The council said peaceful participation by citizens was essential to credible elections and democratic stability, as political activity increases ahead of the December polls. In Kantora, Bakary Sanyang, a participant, commended the NCCE and its partners for what he described as an educational engagement. He said political differences should not become a source of conflict within communities.

“All that we have learnt here is what we are practising in our community,” Sanyang said.

He warned against using politics as a means of confrontation.

“If we use politics as a weapon to fight each other, we will not achieve our goals,” he said. “There are many political parties, but we should support the one we believe is right for us, and then move on peacefully.”

Sanyang also called for tolerance among the country’s different ethnic communities.

“No one can claim to be the founder or creator of a tribe. We must therefore be tolerant and peaceful in order to conduct successful elections in the country,” he said.

The NCCE’s community engagements also focused on citizens’ responsibilities in ensuring credible and peaceful elections. Discussions covered electoral codes of conduct, civic rights and responsibilities, political tolerance and the importance of informed participation. The council encouraged voters to understand their rights, respect the rights of others and make informed choices while avoiding political differences that could create division within communities. The Upper River Region activities followed earlier NCCE engagements in the North Bank and West Coast regions, where discussions also focused on the factors that can trigger conflict and political discrimination. The council also used the engagements to encourage greater participation by women in national politics.

Speaking in Kerr Ardo, Fatou Touray called on women to use their numerical strength by becoming more active in political programmes and supporting the emergence of more women candidates. The NCCE said stronger participation by citizens, including women, was important to an inclusive democratic process. As the country approaches the 5 December presidential election, the council is continuing its civic education activities, encouraging citizens to reject political violence and discrimination and use dialogue, tolerance and informed participation to manage political differences. The campaign is aimed at helping citizens understand their civic responsibilities and participate peacefully in the electoral process.