*Coming Elections In Edo, Ondo To Serve As Litmus Test
To ensure improved playing field for all electoral candidates, the Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to enhance the integrity of the electoral process through policy reforms and collaboration with relevant bodies.
The pledge was made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, while delivering his opening remarks at the Election Integrity Promotion Alliance Stakeholders’ Second Round-Table Meeting in Abuja.
SGF, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Richard Pheelangwa, underscored the importance of integrity of electoral process in engendering the trust of the citizenry in governance.
He said that the government is duty bound to ensure a level playing field in the electoral process without interference.
According to a statement by the Director, Information & Public Relations OSGF, Segun Imohiosen, the SGF said “As we stand at the nexus of another electoral cycle, the significance of our discussions today cannot be overstated.The integrity of elections is fundamental to the legitimacy of our governance structures and the trust of our citizens in the democratic process.
"It is incumbent upon us, as custodians of this process, to ensure that every vote counts, and every voice is heard without impediment or undue influence’’.
He said that the Election Integrity Promotion Alliance round-table meeting is aimed at reinforcing electoral teamwork, promoting and enhancing the integrity of electoral process to foster fair, transparent and credible election through collaboration with political parties, civil society organisations, election management body, media and other key stakeholders in the industry.
Sen. Akume tasked the participants at the meeting to seize the opportunity to brainstorm and share ideas and insights that would contribute in strengthening and deepening democratic process.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director, African Electoral Integrity Initiative (AE2I) & Advocacy Lead, Election Integrity Promotion Alliance (EIPA), Dr. Daniel Omofoman said in order to ensure electoral integrity of electoral process, there is need for sustained collaboration with key government agencies and strategic partners and also building capacity through training workshops and seminars for election officers, political parties agents, civil society groups, the general public and other stakeholders to enhance their knowledge and skills in electoral integrity principles and advocacy strategies.
The forthcoming elections in Edo and Ondo States, he said, would serve as a litmus test to ascertain the integrity of the nation's electoral process.
He therefore called for sustained inter-agency cooperation among the law enforcement agencies to be able to identify and prosecute those that may undermine the electoral process.
Among those who attended the round-table meeting were representatives from Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (OSGF), Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
Others are representatives for the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Ministry of Justice, Yiaga Africa, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), and other stakeholders.