Electoral Reforms: CSOs, stakeholders advocate single-day general elections to curb rigging
Calls for electoral reform intensified on Tuesday as a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) proposed comprehensive changes to Nigeria’s laws to strengthen democracy.
The CSOs convened to deliberate on independent candidacy, the role of independent observers, and the immediate implementation of electronic transmission of election results.
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Among their demands was the removal of partisan politicians serving as commissioners and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with a recommendation that political parties nominate members as electoral commissioners to curb election rigging.
The calls were made during an interactive conference on electoral reform titled Setting the Agenda, held at Merit House, Abuja. The event, organized by the Civil Society Coalition for Sustainable Development, aimed to develop a citizens’ memorandum for a more credible, transparent, and accountable electoral process.
Former presidential candidate and ex-National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Peter Ameh, advocated conducting all elections on the same day to minimize malpractice.
“By addressing Sections 1, 132, 105, and 64 of the Constitution, we can explore the feasibility of holding all elections on the same day. This will significantly reduce opportunities for rigging,” Ameh suggested.
He urged stakeholders to learn from Ghana’s Electoral Commission, where voting, recording, and result declaration occur transparently at polling units. Ameh also recommended unbundling the election management body, citing the challenges of overburdening INEC.
Ameh called for robust campaign finance laws and the establishment of an Electoral Offenses Commission as recommended by the Justice Uwais panel.
“Opposition parties often suffer because ruling parties misuse public funds to gain undue advantages. Elections must be fair and equitable,” he stated.
Hon. Ben A. Etenabene, a House of Representatives member for Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, emphasized that defecting politicians should automatically lose their seats. He proposed that the law clearly outline such vacancies to avoid political exploitation.
Etenabene also highlighted the importance of transparency through technology, suggesting CCTV installation at polling units to monitor election activities. He proposed creating Election Agent Service Providers—independent entities overseeing elections alongside INEC.
Fred Agbedi, a Federal House of Representatives member from Bayelsa State, urged citizens not to mortgage their future by accepting financial inducements during elections. He also advocated for inclusivity in electoral reform discussions, emphasizing the need for ruling party participation in debates to achieve robust solutions.
Drawing inspiration from the U.S., Agbedi suggested that political parties directly participate in constituting electoral commissions to ensure accountability and reduce manipulation.
Former ActionAid Country Director Ene Obi expressed dissatisfaction with Nigerians’ muted reaction to governance challenges. She criticized the lack of resistance to the recent removal of the fuel subsidy, which caused prices to rise sharply.
Dr. Moses Paul, convener of the Free Nigeria Movement, urged stakeholders to focus on systemic challenges rather than individual leaders. He highlighted the need for structural reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic processes.
Other speakers, including Dr. Peter Piper, Ibrahim Abdukarim, Christian Chima, Young Piero, Sam Amadi, and Mallam Idris Kalgo, echoed the need for an overhaul of Nigeria’s electoral system to address persistent challenges and ensure the integrity of future elections.
