At the meeting, Over 50 leading Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) were represented which included Women, Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) and Youth Groups.
Following the announcement of the dates for the 2019 general elections, the Commission met with the civil society organizations to discuss the commission plans for the elections. The following issues were discussed at the consultative meeting:
1. INEC Plans and Preparation for the 2019 General Elections and beyond;
2. Violations of the Electoral Act and actions taken
3. Matters arising from judgments of tribunals and courts
4. Role of security agencies in elections; and
5. Electoral reforms
Highlights of the meeting featured the presentation on the ICT innovations by the Commission towards the 2019 general elections.
After extensive deliberations the meeting resolved as follows:
1. Date of the elections: CSO commended the commission on the proactive steps in announcing early dates for the 2019 general elections as it provides for certainty and proper planning for the elections.
2. Continuous Voter Registration: CSO’s welcomed the plan of the Commission to commence year round nationwide CVR to be conducted at the local governments areas
3. Security: CSO’s condemned the interference of the security agencies in the electoral process particularly in Edo and Rivers States and advised that security agencies should be more professional and non-partisan
4. Electoral Reform: CSO’s enjoined the Commission to work closely with the National Assembly and the Presidential Committee on Constitution and Electoral Reforms (Nnamani Committee) to harmonize the proposed amendments and to ensure the innovations are in tandem with the proposed amendments.
5. Data: CSO’s commended the Commission for disaggregation of data on the elections and enjoined the commission to ensure that the data is inclusive of persons with disabilities and also guide the policy direction of the Commission in planning for future elections
6. Voter Education: CSO’s implored that the Commission invest more in voter education
7. INECs engagement with marginalized groups: CSO’s requested the Commission to deepen its engagement with women, youth and persons with disabilities
Conclusion:
Both the Commission and the CSO commended the forum and the commission resolved that there will be more structured engagements with the CSO’s.
