Peering Advocacy And Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), a civil society organization, is advocating for collaboration among major stakeholders and electoral actors to ensure a comprehensive electoral reform.
During a recent town hall meeting named “Citizen’s Town Hall Meeting on Electoral Reform” in Enugu, PAACA’s Executive Director, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu, emphasized the need for such collaboration.
The purpose of the meeting was to delve into the legal framework of the Electoral Act, 2021, which many individuals lack understanding of.
Nwagwu expressed, “The key objective of this town hall meeting is to raise awareness about the legal framework governing our elections.”
During interactions with journalists about the upcoming 2023 general elections, Nwagwu highlighted the language used by politicians, stressing the importance of understanding the legal framework for electoral processes and promoting peaceful elections.
He underscored the negative impact of violence on democratic societies and urged for a focus on good governance and credible elections.
Addressing concerns about the judiciary’s role in political reforms, Nwagwu emphasized the court’s reliance on evidence and jurisprudence, rather than emotions, in making judgments.
Meanwhile, at the event, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Joseph Chukwu, reiterated INEC’s commitment to conducting transparent elections.
He affirmed, “As we strive for democratic consolidation, INEC is dedicated to electoral reform in Nigeria, recognizing the importance of credible and transparent elections as the bedrock of democracy.”
Also present was Mr. Chidi Unobagha, the Acting State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Enugu State, who highlighted the collaboration between NOA and PAACA in public enlightenment and mobilization efforts over the years.
The town hall meeting brought together various stakeholders, including the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), civil society organizations, and traditional leaders from different communities in Enugu State.