Africa-Press – Gambia. The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) has unveiled its roadmap for the 2026 presidential poll, outlining plans aimed at fostering a peaceful electioneering process.
The civic education body expressed its resolve towards fighting hate speech, promoting social cohesion and encouraging inclusive and responsible civic participation throughout the electoral cycle.
Speaking during a press briefing held Friday at the NCCE premises, Chairman Sering Fye said the initiative reflected the institution’s commitment to ensuring that citizens received clear, timely and accurate information ahead of the polls.
“As Gambians prepare to head to the polls for another historic electoral cycle, the NCCE stands ready to fulfill its constitutional mandate,” he said. “We remain dedicated to consolidating democracy, fostering robust civic participation and ensuring that civic and voter education serve as a foundation for peace, stability and social harmony throughout this electoral journey.”
Mr. Fye also highlighted key milestones achieved by the council in 2025, noting that over the past year the NCCE expanded its outreach and strengthened its impact across four core pillars of civic engagement.
According to him, the council opened two new regional offices to bring civic education closer to grassroots communities as the 2026 electoral cycle began amid concerns over recurring inflammatory rhetoric, particularly over digital platforms and in public discourse.
He explains that the North Bank Regional office now oversees activities in the Lower River Region, while the Central River Region office serves the Upper River Region, adding that the deployment of permanent staff has significantly improved outreach and real-time coordination with rural communities.
Mr. Fye further noted that the council conducted town hall meetings across eleven communities in Massembeh and implemented a high-impact caravan and radio campaign in Banjul aimed at equipping voters with knowledge for peaceful and informed participation.
He said the NCCE also organized regional learning forums and live radio talk shows engaging more than 500 stakeholders in dialogue on inclusion for persons with disabilities across the country. In addition, the council spearheaded sensitization initiatives to popularize newly enacted legislation as part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability.
Reaffirming the institution’s commitment to its mandate, Mr. Fye called on all citizens and political actors to prioritize peace and national unity ahead of the December 5 election.
“The upcoming election is a test of our collective maturity,” he said, urging stakeholders to exercise restraint and place “The Gambia First.”
