2023: NHRC launches project to increase voter participation in elections

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Monday, launched a project to improve citizens’ participation in the forthcoming 2023 general election.

Speaking on Monday at the launch of a programme tagged ‘Mobilising Voters for Election (MOVE)’, Tony Ojukwu, NHCR executive secretary, said the programme was initiated to tackle voter apathy.

He said the commission will organise consultations and sensitisation programmes for the police on the protection of voters during elections.

“The MOVE project is expected to increase citizens’ participation in elections and integrate human rights principles into the electoral process to ensure access,” he said.

“It will also increase participation and ensure human rights oversight in law enforcement and security before, during and after the elections.

“The rising voter regression is a consequent of the mismanagement of Nigerian elections in the past.

“Characterised by violence, rigging and disenfranchisement of voters, failed elections bring about a lot negative outcomes which ultimately erode voters’ confidence in electoral process.

“The lack of effective voter participation in elections robs citizens of their fundamental role in a democracy, which is the freedom to choose their representatives.

”We believe that this MOVE project will enable the commission to integrate human rights into democracy and as well ensure citizens’ participation in the upcoming 2023 general election.”

The NHRC executive secretary also said the commission will create guidelines that will protect voters’ access in security operations during elections.

He added that the commission plans to establish partnerships to integrate human rights in the agenda of candidates and political parties to ensure voter participation.

“One’s power as a citizen is a huge responsibility that must be exercised soberly. We must engage in the political process while respecting the fact that the political space is filled with a plurality of ideas,” he said.

“You are more likely to convince someone to see things your way and possibly cast a vote for your favoured candidate when you respectfully try to persuade them, rather than when you insult them or cast aspersions on their faith or ethnicity.

“As we engage in the political process, we must do so with the utmost respect for those who do not necessarily agree with us.”