By: Sainabou Sambou
The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) has warned political leaders, public figures and social media influencers against hate speech, tribal rhetoric and misinformation as The Gambia prepares for the December 5, 2026 presidential election.
The Council issued the warning at a press briefing where it updated journalists on its civic education and voter sensitization work.
NCCE Chairman Alhaji Momodou A. Sise said the media remains an indispensable partner in promoting democracy and ensuring citizens receive clear, timely and accurate information.
Sise said the NCCE is committed to working with the press to strengthen civic participation and help voter education contribute to peace and social harmony before, during and after the election.
He outlined a wide program of activities since the start of 2026. In March, the Council held 10 regional dialogue sessions with nearly 600 participants, including regional authorities, chiefs, alkalolu, political parties, the Inter-Party Committee, youth and women representatives, civil society, persons with disabilities and religious leaders.
Between March and April, a supplementary voter registration campaign reached more than 80 communities, especially hard-to-reach rural areas. It included over 30 live radio talk shows, 10 television programs and social media outreach aimed at first-time voters, women and persons with disabilities.
In June, the NCCE partnered with the Gambia Police Force for community policing civic forums in the Greater Banjul Area and West Coast Region, drawing about 200 participants to discuss security risks, youth vulnerability and gender-based violence. Sensitization caravans also targeted markets, transport hubs, ferry terminals and bantabas, explaining civic rights and duties under the 1997 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2025.
Specialized civic education and electoral integrity training across all eight regions reached about 500 people. Between June and July, 12 stakeholder workshops trained more than 600 social media influencers, political representatives and community leaders on misinformation, disinformation and hate speech. The Council also engaged more than 350 students and teacher coordinators from secondary schools, madrassas, the University of The Gambia and USET.
From August to September, face-to-face campaigns continued in the Upper River, Central River, North Bank, Lower River and West Coast regions, covering more than 80 communities.
Sise commended political parties for taking part in the Independent Electoral Commission’s supplementary voter registration from April 8 to May 24. He said the 1,694 objections filed should be treated as a normal legal process, not criminal charges.
“Individuals who have been objected to are not criminals; rather, an objection simply questions eligibility and will be lawfully determined by the courts,” he said, urging calm while institutions handle the matter.
Sise expressed concern over rising identity polarisation, ethnic rhetoric and insults, especially from political figures, public authorities and religious leaders. He said The Gambia is still healing from past divisions and warned that divisive language could deepen suspicion and weaken trust.
He called on parties to publicly condemn dangerous statements, focus campaigns on policies rather than personal attacks, and put national unity above party loyalty.
Citizens and influencers, he added, should verify information before sharing it.
Chief Civic Education Officer Yusupha Bojang said communities have raised concerns about “unguarded statements” from people in authority, describing inflammatory remarks as an early warning sign. He said hate speech, identity politics and the use of artificial intelligence to manipulate information remain serious risks.
“We need to talk to each other to ensure that we calm the political tempo and focus on issues rather than targeting each other,” Bojang said.
Program Manager Ansumana Ceesay thanked the media for amplifying civic messages nationwide and said The Gambia’s reputation as the “Smiling Coast” of tolerance must be protected as the election approaches.
