Ahead of future elections in Nigeria, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, PAACA, has organized a one-day town hall meeting on electoral reform.
The town hall meeting held in Awka has as its participants representatives from Civil Society Organizations, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Anambra State Association of Town Union, ASATU and journalists.
In his keynote address, the Executive Director of PAACA, Mr Ezenwa Nwangwu, said political education is necessary ahead of future elections in Nigeria, adding that the town hall meeting aimed at collating ideas and contributions from relevant stakeholders for improved electoral processes.
He regretted that not much people are in possession of the Electoral Act, a document he observed has been left as exclusive property of lawyers.
In his remark, the Anambra State Director of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr Edozie Ajaegbu, noted that poor political culture, absence of internal party democracy, and electoral corruption have continued to undermine the ability of the electoral process to produce candidates who can effectively represent the aspirations and yearnings of Nigerians.
He, however, observed that since the return of democracy in 1999, Nigeria’s electoral process has progressively improved judging by various factors, including citizens’ demands, Civil Society Organisations’ advocacy, legislative reforms, credible leadership in INEC, and international support.
While commending PAACA for the bold initiative, Mr Ajaegbu represented by Mr Ignatius Obiorah called for partnership with other donor agencies to ensure that the goals of the town hall meeting are materialized.
A former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Anambra State, Dr Ego Uzoezie said it is disheartening that there are laws in Nigeria that encourage women participation in electoral process but it is only on paper and not in reality but stressed that they will keep pushing until it becomes a reality.
Speaking on how to allow Nigerian youths to participate effectively in the electoral process, the President-General of ASATU Youth Wing, Comrade Ken Okoli and another participant, Mr Israel Orji said Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, should make the youths to believe in the system by making people’s vote count saying as another election year approaches, it is another time for INEC to redeem its image.
Group discussions and interactions featured during the meeting.
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