Coalition of Civil Society Organizations have called for the adoption of electoral reforms which will go a long way in rebuilding public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process, enhance the efficiency of elections, and ensure that outcomes reflect the true will of the people.
On behalf of all the Coalition, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja at the public presentation of the Citizens’ Memorandum on Electoral Reform, said “these electoral reforms are designed to restore integrity, enhance efficiency, and ensure inclusivity in Nigeria’s electoral process, paving the way for more credible, fair, and democratic elections that will strengthen the nation’s political institutions and democratic culture.”
He said the reforms will deepen citizens’ involvement in electoral reforms and governance.
According to him, the reform process itself involves input from civil society, political stakeholders, and international observers, reflecting a broader participatory approach to governance.
He said this inclusion of diverse voices can lead to greater public engagement, awareness, and accountability in the democratic process.
He said “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.
” The proposals encapsulated in this Memorandum stem from a comprehensive analysis of the pressing challenges that have plagued our electoral system for too long.
“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.
“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,” he said.
The CSOs are the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), ElectHER, International Press Centre (IPC), International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA).
Others are; Justice, Development and Peace Makers Centre (JDPMC), Osogbo,Justice Development and Peace Movement (JDPM), Oyo, Justice Development and Peace Initiative (JDPI), Ekiti, The Kukah Centre, Nigeria Women’s Trust Fund (NWTF),Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC),SOS Children’s Villages (SOS), TAF Africa and Yiaga Africa.