The NCCE within the framework of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Support to the Electoral Cycle and Democratic Process in The Gambia, has concluded the Dialogue with Traditional Authorities, Women Leaders and Youths on the current Voter Registration exercise which.
With a grand launching in Soma under the auspices of the Governor of Lower River Region, The activity was part of ongoing efforts and enduring commitment to spur massive and popular participation in the voter registration exercise as well as strengthen the capacities of the participants especially traditional authorities (Alkalolu and Chiefs) on the electoral laws, with special focus on requirements to acquire a Voter’s Card as well as the criteria for the issuance of an attestation as one of the requirements to obtain a Voter’s Card.
The selection of participants and the timing of the activity is thus, in a way, kill two birds with one stone as it was a way of informing the traditional leaders of their role in maintaining the integrity of the voter registration and urging people to show tolerance for diverse opinions and eschew violence throughout the elections process.
Speaking at the launching, the Governor of Lower River Region, Rohey John Manjang expressed her delight at the aptness of the gathering as the IEC begins registering eligible voters across the country. She added that every citizen has a role to play in promoting Gambia’s peace and stability which are the bedrock of any meaningful development. She also used the opportunity to remind Traditional Authorities of their responsibilities in making sure that they attest to people who are citizens and desist from assisting non-Gambians in obtaining a voter’s card.
The Chairman of Mansakonko Area Council, Landing B Sanneh hailed the significance of the meeting describing it as historic and timely. He added that as local government authorities they have responsibilities to provide development services to the people which cannot be realised in the absence of peace.
Mr Yusupha Bojang, the Programme Manager of NCCE, dilated on the constitutional guarantee to the right to political participation while calling for tolerance and respect in the exercise of this right. He also delved into the issue of Citizenship for the benefit of the Chiefs and Alkallolu who will be giving attestation to citizens without national documents.
The weeklong dialogue sessions engaged about four hundred (400) participants across the five Regions (WCR, LRR, NBR, CRR & URR) of the country and were attended by Regional Governors or their deputies, Chiefs, Alkalolu, Women Leaders and Youths.