Ahead of 2023 general elections, the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) has called on stakeholders to prioritize anti-corruption and accountability issues during electoral processes.
The call was made during a one-day capacity building for civil society organizations (CSOs) organised by CHRCR in partnership with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in Lokoja on Monday.
The executive director of CHRCR, Comrade Idris Miliki Abdul, expressed concerns over the recently passed electoral amendment act by the national assembly.
He berated the federal lawmakers for their decision on electronic transmission of votes cast during election, adding that the process is meant to curb electoral corruption and ensure accountability in the process.
Miliki stated that the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives subverted the will of Nigerians and wondered why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was subjected to the whims of Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC).
“The bill is fraudulent in the sense that it does not reflect the wish of the majority of Nigerians that elected them into office. They did not invite INEC to make presentations. INEC has certain responsibilities as provided by law. Even the National Assembly is a creation of the Nigeria constitution.
“Why will they pass a bill subjecting INEC to NCC? Why did they fail to invite NCC before the passage of the bill? NCC later came up to provide information that is not relevant today. They brought information of 2018 when we are in 2021.
“We may not have an acceptable electoral act before the 2023 election. INEC has given us timetable of election in the next 30 years, why should those people who will likely contest these election, the National Assembly members, work against the people? What they have done is fraudulent, as they did not fulfil the promise made to the people,” he said.
Miliki called on President Muhammadu Buhari to withhold ascent to the bill, stressing that the bill should be returned to the national assembly for Nigerians to engage the process further.
The lead presenter, Mr. Jide Ojo, called on all stakeholders to unite and work towards ensure a corruption-free electoral process in forthcoming elections.
Ojo tasked the legislature on electoral reforms and called on the national and state electoral commissions to be committed to administrative reforms.
He also called on security agencies to enforce electoral laws to deepen democracy and guarantee accountable process before, during and after polls.
The executive director of Initiative for Grassroot Advancement (INGRA), Hamza Aliyu, who led participants through the process of designing charter of demands, called for increased citizen engagement in electoral process.
Aliyu explained that aside manifestoes of political parties and its candidates, communities and constituencies must identify their priority needs and enter into an agreement with prospective political representatives with their charter of demands.
He said the charter of demands will form basis for the scorecards of their representatives while in office.
The event witnessed the official launch of Networks on Anti-corruption, Transparency and Accountability (NATA).
According to Miliki, NATA will serve as a platform for information sharing to foster support for critical groups in the fight against corruption.
