By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – FIDA Nigeria has harped on the need for an improved voter’s awareness strategy by all stakeholders towards ensuring an increase in the voting population of women.
The Women Group is also of the view that the electoral process needs to be improved upon to enable Nigerians on essential duties during elections to exercise their franchise.
These, among others were the submissions made by the FIDA Country Vice President/National President, Amina Agbaje (Mrs) during the post election press conference on Women Participation held virtually on Monday.
Based on her prima facia observations and findings during the election, FIDA Nigeria made the following recommendations to some stakeholders towards deepening the democratic process in Nigeria ahead of the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections scheduled to hold on the 11th March 2023:
To the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), FIDA recommended as follows:
- Prosecution of electoral offenders observed to have committed all forms of electoral offences in
contravention to the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) which will serve as deterrent to other
intending offenders. - Train and retrain electoral officers and ad-hoc staff on current electoral technologies and realities
to enable them meet with the changing needs of the Nigerian electoral process. - Given the below average voter turnout in the just concluded elections, we urge INEC to embark on high-level dialogues with key stakeholders including traditional and religious leaders to encourage the participation of more female electorates and citizens in general to exercise their franchise at subsequent elections.
- The voters register needs to be cleaned up by INEC to enable the country have an accurate
number of truly registered voters. - Issues relating to the timeframe for conducting elections needed to be extended from 8:30am
till about 5pm to encourage more women participation.
As concerning the Security Agencies, FIDA called on the security agencies deployed for election duty to arrest and investigate all those involved in electoral crimes and in contravention of the electoral act for prosecution; Security agents should continually adhere to the principles of impartiality and neutrality toward securing the polls which will help in mitigating electoral violence especially those perpetuated against women in elections.
To the Politicians and Political Parties, FIDA Nigeria urged them to maintain peace and be magnanimous in victory; to work with all Nigeria citizens including those in the opposition parties to improve the
governance and wellbeing of citizens.
Finally, FIDA Nigeria advised the Media to desist from production of sensational headlines and hate speeches that contribute to increased tension before, during and after elections. They were strongly advised to always verify and fact-check all information received before releasing to the public. It enjoined the Forth Estates of the Realm to remain professional, neutral and non-partisan in the discharge of duties.