USAID supported the CSO-led
#NotTooYoungToRun campaign
that led to a historic constitutional
amendment that reduced the age
requirement to run for many public
offices, inspiring hundreds of youth
to stand as candidates at the national,
state, and local levels.
Likewise, the Inclusive Friends
Association (IFA) gave thousands of
persons with disabilities a chance
to vote through the ‘Access Nigeria’
campaign, which led INEC to develop
materials for visually and hearing-
impaired voters. The internally
displaced – another extremely
vulnerable group –received voter
education and mobilization programs in
several states as well.
“Access Nigeria and INEC made
history,” said Grace Jerry, executive
director of IFA. “The level of assistance
provided for voters with visual
impairments was unprecedented.”
Other groups helped voters understand
the electoral environment and engage
the public in that dialogue. The
Situation Room provided analysis of
new amendments to the Electoral Act,
while the Policy and Legal Advocacy
Center compiled and provided regular
updates of regulatory changes that
could affect the polls, all contributing
to improved ability for the public
to assess the quality of the process.
The Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund
advocated for full participation of
women both as voters and candidates
while the Yar’adua Centre provided
incident reports nationwide on
voters, election officials and security
personnel.
Data clerks at YIAGA Africa’s Watching the Vote Control
Room input results in real time during the February elections
A key concern ahead of the elections
was the potential for violence. A
study of all 36 states by the CLEEN
Foundation, an NGO that promotes
safety, security, and justice, identified
the major drivers of electoral violence,
and identified “hot spots” across the
country and established early warning
and conflict mitigation networks that
reported instances of political violence,
especially in the restive northeast and
middle belt regions.
To help curb electoral violence before
it started, support for the #Vote Not
Fight peace promotion campaign, led
by entertainer and activist Innocent
“2Baba” Idibia and ‘Stop Violence
Against Women in Politics’ led by
actress Stephanie Okereke Linus
that promoted non-violent and
positive youth engagement , peaceful
participation the elections, and
engagement of women throughout the
process.
Inevitable setbacks notwithstanding,
the network of Nigerian CSOs
proved that it is an essential player in
Nigeria’s journey toward a stronger
democracy even as the final state
elections mark the end of the 2019
cycle. By applying pressure for political
reform and expanding the scope of
citizen participation in the political
process, their presence goes a long
way to increase transparency and
accountability in government.
By actively supporting the processes
and institutions of political and
electoral reforms and by expanding the
inclusiveness in the electoral process,
CSOs ensured a greater degree of
integrity for the 2019 general elections.
Their success bodes well for stronger,
independent civil society engagement
in future Nigerian elections.
The YIAGA Africa Board, chaired by Hussaini Abdu (third right) meet the press on Election Day flanked by
U.S. Ambassador, W. Stuart Symington (far right) and U.K. High Commissioner Catriona Laing (far left)
8
CROSSROADS |
April/May 2019