France
The Salvation Army Foundation in France assisted older people in its care homes in the lead-up to the French national election and the European Union elections.
Exercising citizenship often requires support from carers in various ways: access to rights, appropriate information on elected officials and programmes, discussions about electoral issues and the link with relatives to exercise one’s right to vote.
At one of The Salvation Army’s retirement homes in Chantilly near Paris, a display was put up mentioning elections during daily press reviews with residents to raise awareness. Each voting resident was consulted by a staff member and one of the residents asked to establish a proxy for a relative.
In another retirement home in Nantes, several residents gave a mandate to volunteers to vote for them by proxy. Information materials were produced using ‘FALC’ (an easy-to-read-and-understand method) for people with disabilities.
Another establishment in Bormes-les-Mimosas was in contact with the gendarmes who establish proxies for voting.
By supporting individuals in the exercise of their citizenship, institutions also embodied The Salvation Army’s values of participation, fraternity and unconditionality.
By David Germain, Director of Communications, Salvation Army Foundation, France and Belgium Territory
Nigeria
In 2019, widespread violence erupted during the elections in Nigeria. As the 2023 elections approached, The Salvation Army in Nigeria took a multi-pronged approach to promote peaceful participation in the electoral process.
It partnered with The Salvation Army International Headquarters to conduct a facilitation programme to train coordinators from various regions within the country. These coordinators were equipped with skills and knowledge on conflict resolution, electoral laws and effective community engagement strategies. The training aimed to create a network of well-prepared leaders capable of carrying out grass-roots awareness campaigns and to address any potential conflicts that might arise before, during or after the elections.
A week-long peaceful election awareness campaign covered both urban and rural areas. It targeted a wide range of community settings, including remote villages, motor parks, public transport hubs and environments considered hotspots for electoral violence.
Special emphasis was placed on reaching out to rural areas where access to information may be limited, and where misinformation and violence could potentially disrupt the electoral process. Campaign efforts focused on locations where criminal activities might thrive, such as areas with gang presence or high crime rates. The aim was to engage these communities directly and educate them about the importance of peaceful elections and the consequences of violence.
To ensure a broad reach, various educational materials were distributed, including flyers and posters that were placed in strategic locations such as motor parks, markets and public transport stations.
The campaign utilised multiple media platforms to amplify its message. Radio and TV jingles were aired across different regions to reach a wider audience, particularly in areas where literacy rates are lower, and people rely on oral communication. Additionally, banners were displayed at key locations, such as car parks, to serve as a constant reminder of the need for peaceful elections.
Various community social media platforms were flooded with visual and audio jingles produced by our public relations team.
The campaign recognised the crucial role of security agents in maintaining peace. Therefore, sensitisation workshops were conducted for police officers, military personnel and other security agencies. The aim was to foster a better understanding of their role in safeguarding the democratic process and promoting a non-violent approach in their operations.
Faith-based and religious organisations were seen as vital partners in this initiative, given their influence in communities. The Salvation Army collaborated with various religious leaders to spread messages of peace and the importance of electoral participation without violence. Religious gatherings were used as platforms to reach a broad audience, emphasising the spiritual and moral imperatives of peaceful elections.
Salvation Army corps (churches) in various centres across Nigeria were actively involved in the campaign. They leveraged their networks and communication channels to mobilise support, disseminate information and encourage their members and the communities they serve to engage in peaceful electoral practices.
The campaign yielded significant positive outcomes during the presidential and governorship elections. The result was a memorable election period characterised by a notable reduction in violence, particularly in areas where the campaign had a strong presence. Reports from various regions indicated increased voter turnout, especially in rural areas, where citizens felt more informed and empowered to participate peacefully in the electoral process. Additionally, there was a marked improvement in the conduct of security agents, which contributed to maintaining peace and order during the elections.
By Lieut-Colonel Godspower Anozie, Community Development Secretary, Nigeria Territory
United Kingdom
The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom has a long-standing track record of bringing the concerns of the most vulnerable into public life by engaging with political processes. This commitment was demonstrated recently through efforts to support people in registering to vote in the general election, alongside the mobilisation of corps (churches) to engage with prospective parliamentary candidates – a shift from the historic focus on headquarters taking the lead.
For the first time, voter identification (ID) was required in a UK general election, creating a potential barrier for those on the margins of society. In response, The Salvation Army developed a comprehensive plan to help people in corps and centres register, ensuring that their voices could help shape policies that directly affect their lives.
The Salvation Army’s homelessness services, which support more than 3,000 individuals each night, were uniquely positioned to assist residents and service users in engaging with the democratic process. At Westminster Homelessness Services in central London, Captain Dan Holland and his team took proactive steps to help clients register to vote and access the necessary photo ID. Many of those attending their drop-in sessions – just a short distance from Parliament – felt disconnected from the political process due to a lack of ID or a stable address. Yet these are the very people most in need of a voice in shaping housing and social policy. The Salvation Army helped them to find it.
These actions reflect The Salvation Army’s belief that every person, regardless of their circumstances, deserves a say in decisions affecting their future. Grounded in the theological principle of solidarity with the poor, this initiative stood alongside those on the margins, advocating for their participation and empowerment. Through these efforts, which continue beyond the election, The Salvation Army is building a society centred on God’s justice and reconciliation, ensuring the voices of the most marginalised are heard.
By Captain John Clifton, Territorial Justice and Reconciliation Officer, United Kingdom and Ireland Territory