From left, Chris Inyama, team leader, Equity International Initiative and Chris Kwaja, Country Director, United States Institute for Peace (USIP), at a press conference in Jos.
By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos
As the Plateau State Local Government Elections approach, set for October 9, 2024, the Equity International Initiative, a civil society organization committed to advancing democracy and human rights, has called for a credible and transparent electoral process.
During a press conference held in Jos, Amb. Chris Iyama, the organization’s Team Lead, urged citizens to actively participate in the elections and appealed to the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) to ensure a smooth electoral process free from intimidation, violence, or manipulation.
Iyama emphasized the importance of fairness in the electoral process and the significant roles played by various stakeholders.
. “We call on PLASIEC to be diligent in the deployment of materials and ensure that every voter has unhindered access to the polls.The integrity of our democracy hinges on this process, and we urge all political parties and candidates to respect existing rules and refrain from actions that could undermine the election’s credibility.” he stated.
He raised concerns about potential voter inducement, vote-buying, and the threats of violence on election day. Iyama revealed that Equity International Initiative plans to deploy both stationary and roving observers to monitor the election across all 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
“We will have trained observers at various polling units and roving observers to monitor the collation of results at ward levels. This strategy will enable us to compile a detailed report post-election, identifying areas for improvement in the electoral process,” he added.
Furthermore, the organization urged security personnel assigned to the election to maintain neutrality and professionalism. Iyama also called on other civil society organizations to join efforts in ensuring a peaceful and credible election.
“Security personnel must act in accordance with their code of conduct and ensure that any attempts to interfere with the electoral process are swiftly addressed. Their role is to protect voters and uphold the integrity of the elections.”
“We believe that collaboration among civil society groups is vital for strengthening democracy. We are committed to working with others to ensure this election sets a standard for fairness and transparency,” he said.
Iyama particularly urged young voters to participate actively. “We encourage the youth to come out en masse and ensure their votes count. Your participation is crucial for the future of our democracy. Together, we can safeguard the integrity of this election,” he declared.
In the same vein, Dr. Chris Kwaja, Nigeria Country Director of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), also highlighted the essential role that local government elections play in Nigeria’s political landscape.
He remarked, “In 2019, USIP launched a major report assessing the risks of election violence, and one of the key findings was that unresolved local conflicts often manifest in these elections.”
“When local government elections lack credibility, people often wait for general elections to vent their frustrations. This underscores the need for PLASIEC to ensure a fair, transparent election process at the grassroots level.”
Dr. Kwaja praised PLASIEC’s initiatives to promote an open and transparent electoral process, including the establishment of a Situation Room for monitoring election activities.
“I told the PLASIEC chairman that his integrity is on the line. This election is an opportunity for PLASIEC to demonstrate its credibility or risk falling back into the negative perceptions of the past. The media and civil society will be crucial in observing and validating the transparency of this process,” he noted.
He further stressed the need for civil society to remain vigilant, warning that a compromised civil society could undermine the credibility of the election.
