By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Stakeholders in Anambra State, Monday, advocated for improved political education, capacity building, security and electronic transfer of votes as strategies for promoting good governance and democracy in Nigeria.
They disclosed this at one-day project monitoring and evaluation meeting held in Awka by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room in partnership with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), as a review of the Anambra State November 8 gubernatorial poll.
The stakeholders, who included members of civil society organisations, the police, paramilitary officers, traditional rulers, International federation of women lawyers (FIDA), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and media, urged schools, religious leaders, communities, families and other institutions to embark on value orientations to discourage members from engaging in vote buying and selling.
Some of the speakers, including the State Director, NOA, Barr. Ifeoma Chijioke and FIDA State Chairperson, Amara Muojeke, argued that direct transmission of results, defining evidence for vote buying, ensuring credibility of election results and announcements of those voted for would boost the minds of electorate and reduce voters apathy.
Contributing, the State Secretary of Inter-Party Advisory Council, Comrade Uzochukwu Eminent urged the electoral umpire to find ways of reducing overcrowded voters at polling units even as the State Secretary, NUJ, Dr Okechukwu Onuegbu advocated for provisions of voting materials for the PWDs and making polling units accessible to all for increased participation and transparency.
Earlier speaking, the State Chairman of Anambra State Civil Society Network and President of International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC), Prince Chris Azor, explained that the programme was aimed at engaging with stakeholders to learn from people voting experiences at State gubernatorial poll for electoral reformations and social change.
Azor, who described election as a pillar for promoting democracy, transparency and good governance, recalled how Nigerian electoral system had transformed from Option A4 to open secret ballot due to constant review of existing system, and charged the masses to always speak out for a better society.
Similarly, the Director, CDD-West Africa, Dr Garuba Dauda, added that the review was necessary to identify strategies to be adopted by the Nigerians for improved election in 2027 general election and beyond.
Dauda, represented by Chibuike Mgbeahuruike, argued that gathering experiences and recommendations from the stakeholders was needed to sanitise the electoral system using a legal framework, especially now people advocate for electronic transmission of votes.
He added, "We were here for the election. We have witnessed the election in our diverse ways. That is why it is necessary to consult Anambra stakeholders as electoral reforms continue ahead of 2027 general election. We want to know what transpired, identify what worked well and what did not work well, and strategies to be adopted for better."