The Electoral Hub has called on agencies of government and citizens to imbibe democratic ideas and values, and ensure a credible enviroment is provided for next year’s general elections.
It said although Nigeria has claimed to practice the ideal democracy over the years, “there have been documented reports” of electoral malpractices, and other electoral vices that have challenged the integrity of successive elections.
In a statement on Thursday, to commemorate the 2022 International Democracy Day, the Hub, and the Initiative for Research, Innovation, and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) said a resolution was reached by the UN (United Nation) General Assembly in 2007 to dedicate the celebration “to reviewing the state of global democracy, and sustaining and promoting democratic principles, namely: citizen’s participation, equality, respect for human rights, transparency, regular free and fair elections, economic freedom, etc.”
According to the statement, “Elections are a large part of the democratic process of any country; and if characterized by inconsistencies and irregularities, the democratic system is bound to be negatively impacted. Since Nigeria returned to constitutional democracy in 1999, there have been documented reports of electoral malpractices, election violence, vote-trading, under-aged voting, intimidation of election officials, ballot box snatching and stuffing, and other electoral vices that have challenged the integrity of successive elections. The absence of a multi-sectoral institution that deals specifically with election-related offences contribute to increasing electoral impunity and marring the democratic processes.”
The Hub further advised national and local stakeholders to make conscious efforts in ensuring that the upcoming 2023 general elections reflect the collective will of Nigerians.
“In line with The Electoral Hub’s commitment to promoting electoral knowledge, accountability, and integrity and IRIAD’s of improving citizen’s participation in governance and promoting Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), we urge all relevant national and local stakeholders to make necessary efforts in ensuring that the upcoming 2023 general elections reflect the collective will of Nigerians,” the statment added.
It recommended that the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Ministry of Education, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other electoral stakeholders should initiate a massive voter education and sensitization to create electoral awareness among citizens.
It said this would also include sensitiization about citizens’ civic responsibilities and rights, as well as about electoral offenses and sanctions.
The Hub also called for the mandtaroy implementation of Presidential and Governorship debates to help gauge the preparedness of candidates, as well as help the voting public make informed choices.
It advised the National Broadcasting Commission to “censure broadcast stations that allow their platforms to be used to propagate incendiary remarks.”
“Workshops and sensitization programs should be held for political parties and candidates in order to educate them on ways to improve the electoral process. Issues such as policy-based campaigns, political party ideologies, and clearly defined and actionable manifestos, should be at the front burner of deliberations, discussions, and discourses.
“Reports on campaign monitoring should be made available timely in order to promote transparency and accountability. The media should encourage and focus more on policy-based campaigns by candidates and political parties.”
It also warned that the secrecy of the ballot should be upheld in order to curb the issues of vote buying, and urged INEC and security agencies to ensure that the issue of terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, and other security challenges do not disenfranchise voters in affected areas.
