Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) on Monday called on Gambians to participate peacefully and lawfully in the upcoming supplementary voter registration exercise scheduled to run from April 8 to May 21, 2026.
In a statement signed by Chairman Momodou A. Sise, the council described the exercise as a “critical component of the 2026–2027 electoral cycle,” noting that it will allow first-time voters and citizens without valid voter cards to register ahead of the country’s upcoming elections.
The exercise is expected to enable eligible Gambians to participate in the presidential election set for December 5, 2026, as well as the parliamentary and local government elections scheduled for 2027.
“Your voter’s card is your voice; it is your primary means to participate in the upcoming elections,” the NCCE said, urging citizens who qualify to take advantage of the registration period to fulfill their civic responsibilities.
While encouraging the public to remain vigilant and monitor the process to ensure transparency, the council stressed that any form of observation must be conducted strictly within the law. It emphasized that Section 43(1)(a) of the 1997 Constitution grants the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) the sole authority to conduct voter registration and national elections in the country.
“We therefore strongly urge the general public—and political actors in particular—to refrain from any actions that seek to interfere with, influence, or disrupt the registration exercise,” the statement said.
The council further advised that any suspected violations or abuses should be reported through established legal channels, warning citizens against taking matters into their own hands.
According to the NCCE, actions that threaten peace or undermine lawful procedures could deepen political polarization and jeopardize national stability.
The council also cautioned against the spread of hate speech, abusive language, and misinformation during the registration period, warning that such conduct risks fueling tensions.
“These acts are not legitimate exercises of free speech but catalysts for conflict,” the statement said.
Calling on political leaders to demonstrate responsible leadership, the NCCE urged parties and other stakeholders to serve as a moral compass by condemning and distancing themselves from inflammatory rhetoric.
“There is no place for toxic rhetoric in our democratic discourse,” the council said.
The supplementary voter registration exercise begins on Wednesday, April 8, and will continue until May 21, 2026.
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