Recommendation 13 (Voter Education) Guinea Bissau 2009
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GW/guinea-bissau-final-report-early-presidential-2/at_download/file
Civic and Voter Education campaigns should receive ample financial support allowing for the design and implementation of programmes promoting civil and political rights throughout the entire electoral cycle. Campaigns targeting youth and first time voters, especially those living in more remote areas of the country, should take precedence. Furthermore, involvement of traditional authorities, such as Régulos and local social structures, is vital for the access to tabancas where illiteracy rates are high and national TV and written media have little penetration or no expression at all. Civic education campaigns need to be extended to effectively cover all national territory, including remote areas in the Tomabali and Bijagós regions. As seen during the 2009 civic education programs, cascade training to local organizations and groups should be implemented well ahead of the pre-election period. Local think-tanks such as the “Cidadãos de Boa Vontade”, youth and women NGOs, the CNE and the School of Law should be called on to give input to the design of different campaigns targeting specific electorates. Activities should also include comprehensive programmes in schools and media pertaining to issues of civic and political rights and understanding of the democratic process.
