A coalition of civil society groups (CSOs) has produced a comprehensive Citizens’ Memorandum for Electoral Reforms, just as the National Assembly is about to begin a vital round of reforms related to elections.
The document, which was made public during a press conference in Abuja, is regarded as a strategic road map meant to direct legislators and other electoral players in resolving the systemic flaws in Nigerian elections.
Three main pillars are the subject of the memorandum, which was presented by a group of CSOs that included Yiaga Africa, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO). These are the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act of 2022, and the rules and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking on behalf of the alliance, Dr. Akin Akingbule described the significance of the two-part changes.
“The second part presents sixteen proposals to amend the Electoral Act of 2022, while the first part consists of twenty-one recommendations for constitutional amendments,” he stated. With these changes, the nation’s elections should become more professional and independent, electoral adjudication should be improved, and long-standing issues should be resolved.
He clarified that the memorandum, which offers a roadmap for electoral justice, is the result of in-depth analysis and contemplation of the general elections of 2023.
It takes into account suggestions to improve electoral adjudication, bolster INEC’s independence, and simplify the convoluted sections of the Electoral Act, as well as feedback from domestic stakeholders and election observers.
To restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process, Dr. Akingbule emphasized the necessity of these reforms to solve inefficiencies, ambiguities, and issues within the current legislative framework.
“The creation of a National Electoral Offenses Commission to guarantee more successful prosecution of electoral crimes, the unbundling of INEC to increase its efficiency, and the introduction of early voting for election workers are among the main recommendations.
The operational autonomy of INEC, political party reforms, voting by diaspora, and specific initiatives to encourage the participation of marginalized groups, such women, young people, and individuals with disabilities, are important areas of focus.
“The memorandum also offers new rules for voter identification and registration and suggests legal timeframes for testing election technologies.
“The Citizens’ Memorandum presents fifteen priority areas with thirty-seven proposals. The CSO alliance claims that if these reforms were put into place, Nigeria’s electoral process would be much more inclusive, fair, and transparent.
