CSOs to host virtual town hall on electoral reforms

Some civil society organisations, including YIAGA Africa, have announced plans to host a virtual citizen’s townhall meeting with focus on electoral reforms in preparation for the 2023 general elections.

Samson Itodo (pictured), YIAGA Africa executive director, said the event, organised with support from the European Union, will hold on Tuesday, June 30.

Itodo said the event is an opportunity for stakeholders to build a national consensus on priority issues for electoral reforms through an inclusive and collaborative process.

He added that speakers will be drawn from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), national assembly, political parties, security agencies, civil society, citizens, academia and the entertainment industry.

“As Nigeria continues its efforts to entrench democracy, the threats to democratic consolidation have become more insidious resulting in a sharp decline in electoral integrity. Since the 2019 general elections, every off-cycle election conducted by the electoral commission reinforces the fragility of Nigeria’s political system and the imperative of electoral reforms,” the statement said.

“These reforms if undertaken will improve the quality of public leadership and governance at all levels and also increase public trust in democracy and democratic institutions.

“The national assembly began the process of amending the electoral legal framework by introducing bills to amend relevant sections of the constitution and electoral act. In March 2020, the electoral commission released its electoral reform agenda containing over 30 proposed amendments to the 2010 Electoral Act.

“The agenda contains key priorities for reforms which include; strengthening the financial autonomy of the electoral commission; conferring INEC with the power and conditions for suspending elections; new timelines for campaigns and candidate nomination; disqualification of unqualified candidates; review of election results declared under duress or made contrary to electoral guidelines; diaspora voting; electronic accreditation of voters, improved oversight on political parties amongst others.”

According to the statement, civil society groups have also proposed amendments to the electoral legal framework which are contained in numerous election observation reports.

“Achieving these proposals require a mindset shift in conceptualizing electoral reforms, facilitating a consensus among key political actors and building on a consultative process to aggregate the needs and preferences of society,” the statement added.

The organisation said the programme will be broadcast live on Channels Television and Radio Nigeria network service from 6pm to 9pm.

“Citizens can send their questions and comments before or during the townhall to Yiaga Africa via SMS or WhatsApp to 09038007744 or email – [email protected].”