Ignorance of the Electoral Act reason for most electoral irregularities – PAACA

 

…commences campaign to popularize Electoral Act ahead 2027

Priscilla Akpanettot

The Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) has linked some of the numerous electoral irregularities committed during election period to ignorance of the Electoral Act. They made this known on Wednesday, April 29, 2024 at a capacity-building workshop for Journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking through its Executive Director, Ezenwa Nwagwu, the national movement which promotes electoral governance and strengthens citizen engagement to demand transparency and accountability said that the challenges of the 2023 election was basically ignorance on the part of political parties, the electorates as well as some of the candidates.

“The challenges of the previous election was ignorance, parading themselves as authorities. We had leaders, politicians and analysts talk elections without recourse to the electoral laws. But you cannot discuss election without the constitution, the Electoral Act and INEC Guidelines for conducting election. Sadly, in a place where we have more than 60-70 participants, only two people would say that they have the Electoral Act”, he lamented.

For this, he informed that PAACA was embarking on a campaign to popularize the Electoral Act.

“We saw the knowledge gap about the Electoral Act and have decided to take the advocacy round the country ahead of 2027. We want to deepen the knowledge of the Act before 2027 through partnership with the media and thus, get political parties and stakeholders to respond to the challenges of democracy”, he said.

Nwagwu furthered that the larger objective of the workshop was to equip participants from the media, traditional and religious institutions with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively understand and communicate the provisions of the Electoral Act of 2022, enabling them, to conduct step-don training and host informative radio programs on electoral laws.

While appreciating MacArthur Foundation for supporting their objective, he sought the collaboration of the media in the actualization of their goal.

The extensive media training provided journalists with in-depth comprehension of the Electoral Act. It featured the engagement of participants in a thorough analysis of electoral changes, including their essential provisions, ramifications, and prospective effects on the democratic process, through demanding sessions and interactive workshops anchored by the Senior Programme Officer, PAACA, Isaiah Amonye.

It further offered the news makers the knowledge with which to properly inform the public, maintain openness, and defend electoral integrity.

Established in 2017, the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) works to promote and strengthen citizens’ engagement with government institutions. Its programs are targeted at increasing social accountability movement, youth and gender inclusiveness, support and promoting electoral reforms, legislative engagement, and advancing anti-corruption campaigns. Ultimately, the project contributes to improved electoral and political systems that lay the foundation for accountability, transparency, and anti-corruption.