The National Youth Parliament on 15 January embarked on a voter education outreach in senior secondary schools in the Kanifing and Banjul municipalities.

The UNFPA sponsored the programme being part of its civic initiative to sensitize the youth about the importance of voting and their responsibility or role in national electoral process, especially as the country moves towards holding National Assembly elections on 25 January 2007.

According to the NYP Speaker, Lamin F. Bojang, the youth voter turnout in the last presidential election was "very low" hence the sensitization campaign this time around to get the youth to vote and exercise their rights as citizens.

The Principal of St. Joseph, Sister Jarra, thanked the NYP for the initiative, saying it would let the youth know about their civil rights, duties and responsibilities.

She urged the youth to vote peacefully come January 25.

The Principal of Muslim Senior Secondary School, Mr Ebrima Njie, for his part, enjoined the youth to always exercise the right of suffrage and vote for candidates of their choice.

If you don't vote for your choice, your voice will not be heard," Mr Njie said.

He also advised the youth to refrain from causing any problem or intimidating people, as there is a tendency of youth being used in public elections to spark or fuel clash or disorder that may lead to national crisis.

"No violence, no trouble, let cast our votes and jubilate at home peacefully after the results are announced; The Gambia is ours," the principal advised.