Esther Salifu
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria has taken a significant step towards promoting electoral reforms by presenting the Citizens Memorandum for Electoral Reforms to the National Assembly aimed to guide lawmakers and stakeholders in identifying priority areas that require immediate attention in electoral process.
They disclosed this at the public presentation of the Citizens Memorandum for Electoral Reforms.
During the presentation the organizations said the Memorandum encapsulated a comprehensive analysis of the pressing challenges that have plagued Nigeria electoral system for too long.
They said the memorandum will strengthening Nigeria’s democracy by addressing various challenges and gaps in the electoral process, enhancing Electoral transparency and credibility, ensure that election outcomes genuinely reflect the will of the people, strengthening the Independence of INEC and electoral offences prosecution, promoting inclusive participation, adapting to technological advancements, strengthening voter confidence and trust and enhancing civic engagement.
The memorandum which aimed to respond to the realities of the current electoral system, focuses on three core pillars of the electoral legal framework for the conduct of elections which includes the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Elections.
In a statement jointly signed by the organizations reads: “Today, we stand at a crucial juncture in our country’s democratic journey, a moment when we must collectively reassess and reimagine the legal frameworks governing our electoral process.
“They are the product of extensive research, input from key stakeholders, and, importantly, the reflections drawn from our experiences during the 2023 general elections. We have also incorporated valuable recommendations from domestic and international election observers, who have called attention to areas requiring urgent reform if we are to restore public trust in our democratic institutions.
“As the National Assembly embarks on yet another round of electoral reforms, we present this Citizens Memorandum for Electoral Reforms as a crucial resource, which serves as a roadmap designed to guide lawmakers and all election stakeholders through priority areas in need of immediate attention.
“These amendments are strategic in their scope and ambitious in their vision, yet they are also rooted in practicality, responding to the realities of our current electoral system.
“The memorandum we present today focuses on three core pillars of the electoral legal framework for the conduct of elections: the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Elections.
“Our recommendations have been carefully divided into two parts: Part I offers twenty-one (21) recommendations for constitution alterations.
“These proposals aim to strengthen the independence of INEC, improve the processes for electoral adjudication, and refine key constitutional provisions to ensure fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in our electoral process. Part II presents sixteen (16) proposals for amending the Electoral Act 2022.
“These proposals address the inadequacies, complexities, and ambiguities that have hindered the efficient application of the Act. Our aim is to reposition the electoral legal framework against the backdrop of recent landmark judicial decisions that offer pathways for reform and to make the Act more reflective of our evolving electoral needs,”
In the memorandum the organizations is seeking reform in the area of INEC Independence, efficiency and professionalism, Unbundling of INEC Electoral offences, Election adjudication, Diaspora or Out-of-Country voting, Special Seats , Political party reform, Constituency delimitation,Voter accreditation, Voter Register and voter registration, Women, youths and PWDs political participation (Inclusivity), Early voting, Candidate Selection, Electoral technology, Result management process and Media and elections
The organizations further expressed their gratitude to the National Assembly, INEC, civil society organizations, political parties, and other key stakeholders for their continued commitment to electoral reform in Nigeria.
