The National Human Rights Commission has warned against involvement of children in political campaigns and urged both politicians and parents to discourage kids from wearing political shirts.

Speaking at a news briefing, Emmanuel Joof, NHRC chairman said: “political parties should discourage children’s involvement in political campaigns because children should be at school.

“It was brought to our attention that children were used in the nomination period and campaign period and this is a great concern to us — this misuse, manipulation and engagement of children by the political parties should be discouraged.”

Joof said if you look at footage from political events you will see lot of children wearing t-shirts, adding “I urge parents to discourage it and we will continue to follow with relevant stakeholders.”

Meanwhile, he said: “security services should be seen as very fair, coming from a history of 22 years of APRC ruling where police officers wear party colours and give instructions to other politicians of not holding rally…police officers are not above the law they operate within the law.”

“We are going to elect the president of the Republic of The Gambia on 4th December, subsequently by April we will have the legislative elections.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba