1. A PRESENTATION BY CSO LIAISON DIVISION INEC AT THE INEC/CSO DIALOGUE
ON ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION ORGANIZED BY PLAC HELD AT
PROTEA HOTEL AND APARTMENT APO, ABUJA, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Protocol
The relationship between INEC and CSOs dates back to 1999 when the new
democratic dispensation began in the country. However, no one could controvert
the fact that since 2010 when this new Commission came on board a new positive
and very promising vista has been opened that relationship.
Here is not the forum to repeat what has been very well documented of the
wonderful impact the relationship had in 2011 General Elections including the
processes before and after the epic event. Suffice it to say that if every one is
today looking forward to a free, fair and credible general elections in 2015 it is
largely because 2011 provided that hope.
The Anambra Gubernatorial election comes up on Saturday 16th November 2011
and in recognition of the massive role CSOs will play, the Commission is planning
to further the INEC- CSOs relation with a number of collaborations.
The new CSO Liaison Division is one out of four Divisions in the Department of
VEP CSO. The focal point in all of these is Voter Education and this forms one of
the aspects INEC and CSOs would be working together hopefully..
A number of activities are being lined up1) Voter Education program for CSOs, CBOs, and PWDs has been slated
(though tentatively) to hold 3 – 4th October 2013.
2) State Forum (to involve major CSOs) at Awka, holds October 7-11 2013
3) Voter Education forum for Local government Areas (in which CBOs will
equally feature highly to hold from October 30 – November 2013
4) Plans have also reached advanced stages to reach various target groups in
Anambra state in collaboration with Prof. a certain Foundation, the NLC,
youth cultural associations and the Nigeria women Empowerment Network
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2. 5) Sensitization rallies in the Senatorial Districts in Collaboration with Centre
for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness
6) Engagement of stakeholders through Radio and TV program by state
officials REC and stakeholders for election matters.
However, most of the forums take the form of capacity building and
enlightenment for participants and it is the hope that they will further carry the
messages down to the grassroots.
The cooperation between INEC and CSOs will continue along the C.O.P.E principal.
Consultation, Openness, Partnership and Equity. One of the expectations of the
Commission from CSOs, for example, is their continued vigilance in monitoring
the election process.
The Electoral atmosphere, at the moment, is being heated up in the state albeit
within the political parties as aspirant’s position themselves to fly the flags of
their respective parties. CSOs would need to help the electorate in Anambra
state to know who the candidates would be and collaborate with the Media to
enlighten voters about their prospective Governors since making informed
choices is a hallmark of a free election.
When the contest become interparty, people must be sensitized to eschew
violence and refuse to be used improperly by unscrupulous politicians. One other
area CSOs must draw attention is towards the responsibilities of political
parties/candidates. For example section 45 the Electoral Act 2010,as amended,
provides for party agents whose names must be submitted to the Commission
latest 7 days before election. We cannot overstate the need for party agents to be
present at the various points of in the election process.
Finally, I would like to reiterate that the Division and indeed the commission will
continue on the paths of consultation, openness, partnership and equity in its
dealings with the CIVIL SOCIETY, especially with the establishment of Desks for
Youths, PLWDs and CSOs
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