Accra – Ghana: A gathering of prominent Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) took place in Accra, Ghana, where participants emphasized the importance of election observation in fostering transparency and public trust in the democratic process across West Africa.
Representing Transition Monitoring Group – TMG Nigeria, Prince TIJANI DAUDA, during a think-tank session, highlighted the limitations on citizen engagement in the electoral process in Nigeria. During the discussion, he advocated for legal reforms that empower civil society organizations, NGOs, and individuals to challenge election outcomes. According to him, such reforms would promote transparency, accountability, and trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
“Comparing Nigeria’s situation with countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, where laws ensure citizens’ rights to contest election results, it is crucial for Nigeria to follow suit. Implementing similar legal reforms would not only strengthen Nigeria’s democracy but also align it with its West African counterparts”.
The TMG representative also urge West African governments to uphold democratic values, such as fair elections, civic space, constitutional adherence, and media integrity. This, according to him would create a more inclusive democracy in Africa, and contribute to the nation’s overall development and bolster trust in the electoral system.
