YIAGA Africa and the International Press Centre (IPC), as partners in Component 4 of the Support to the Media of European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase Two (EU-SDGNII), have launched Citizens Memorandum for Electoral Reforms proposals for improving Nigeria’s electoral process. Citizens’ Memorandum on Electoral Reforms aims to address the inadequacies, complexities
YIAGA Africa and the International Press Centre (IPC), as partners in Component 4 of the Support to the Media of European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase Two (EU-SDGNII), have launched Citizens Memorandum for Electoral Reforms proposals for improving Nigeria’s electoral process.
Citizens’ Memorandum on Electoral Reforms aims to address the inadequacies, complexities and ambiguities of the 2022 Electoral Act and align the electoral legal framework with landmark judicial rulings that improve the electoral process. As the National Assembly undertakes another round of electoral reforms, the memo serves as a resource tool for legislators and other election stakeholders to understand priority electoral amendments and their strategic objectives.
Unveiling the initiative at a one-day consultative roundtable in Abuja with civil society groups, EU partners, journalists, and newsroom editors to deliberate on citizens’ demands for priority electoral reforms. Its promoters note that the memorandum is designed to provide a framework for priority amendments and their strategic objectives and seek to strengthen electoral institutions, promote credible elections, and enhance public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
The recommendations for the review of INEC’s regulations and Guidelines are contained in the INEC Memorandum for administrative reform. The Citizens memo contains thirty-seven (37) recommendations across fifteen (15) strategic objectives and addresses sixteen (16) priority reform areas. Part I contains twenty-one (21) recommendations for constitutional amendments, while Part II proposes sixteen (16) amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act.
The Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, noted that the time had come to intensify advocacy as the National Assembly resumes to conclude work on constitutional amendments. Observing that recent improvements in Nigeria’s election management, such as the deployment of the BVAS technology and empowering officials to resist undue pressure in result collation, were the results of reforms driven by civil society advocacy.
He also emphasised the role of the media for its role in deepening democracy through reportage, editorials, and agenda-setting, while calling for renewed engagement as lawmakers review proposals for reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Distinguished colleagues, notwithstanding the considerable efforts invested in advancing the citizens’ memo, we have now reached a pivotal juncture where the media support is both essential and highly valued. As the National Assembly reconvenes, it will be reviewing several proposals for electoral reforms to determine their feasibility for enactment within the statutory period required for amendments to take effect before the 2027 general elections.
“Historical precedent, such as the 12-year campaign for Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act demonstrates that meaningful reform is often achieved when the media actively champions the cause. Throughout this advocacy effort, the media played a significant role by serialising the bill’s content, publishing editorials, columns, news reports, features, analytical pieces, vox pops, and conducting interviews.”
The Citizens’ Memorandum for Electoral Reforms outlines 16 priority areas, 15 strategic objectives, and 37 recommendations targeted at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system.
The priority reforms include: INEC independence, efficiency and professionalism, Unbundling of INEC, Electoral offences, Election adjudication, Special seats for underrepresented groups, Political party reforms, Constituency delimitation, Diaspora or out-of-country voting, Voters accreditation and registration, Women, youths, and persons with disabilities’ participation (inclusivity), Early voting, Candidate selection processes, Electoral technology, Result management process, Media and elections.
The strategic objectives highlighted in the memorandum include: Facilitating equal access to media during elections; Safeguarding the use of electoral technologies to ensure election integrity; Protecting voting rights and inclusiveness of elections; Improving the quality of candidate selection; Increasing citizens’ engagement through improved voter and civic education; Improving the integrity of the voter register and voter verification.
Strengthen the institutional, political, and financial capacity of political parties to enhance transparency, accountability and inclusivity; Protect citizen right to vote in elections; Address electoral impunity through effective electoral offences prosecution; Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of INEC in the conduct of election; Strengthen the independence and professionalism of INEC to ensure credible elections and inspire public trust in the electoral process.
Among the recommendations are: Introduction of diaspora and out-of-country voting; creation of special seats; introduction of a percentage of deviation from population quota; Limiting filing of cases to jurisdiction of cause of action; Terminating all pre-election appeals at the court of Appeal; Strengthening the requirement for party registration; Review the timeframe for holding election; Unbundling INEC; Redefining the power and function of SIECs; Strengthening the financial autonomy of SIECs; Review the process of appointments into INEC were provided in the citizen’s memorandum.
Speaking on behalf of YIAGA Africa, Mrs Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes, underscored the importance of amplifying citizens’ demands in shaping the reforms.
“The citizens’ demands in the electoral reforms are very crucial. The purpose of this consultative roundtable with media stakeholders is to ensure that we, as stakeholders, look into these reforms and have discussions around them and work together for the development of our dear country,” she said.
Also addressing participants, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), urged stakeholders to be deliberate and proactive in advancing reform proposals.
“Actionable ideas that can help shape commitment will drive the electoral process,” he advised.
In his lecture on the role of the media in electoral reform and democratic development, Dr. Tony Onyima, Senior Lecturer at Paul University, Awka, emphasised that electoral reform remains vital to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.
“Democracy is never complete. It is always a work in progress. Elections are not merely about figures on a tally sheet; they are about trust. So let us investigate with persistence. Let us educate with clarity,” he charged.
The Citizens’ Memorandum, stakeholders agreed, represents a pivotal step towards consolidating democratic gains, ensuring inclusivity, and strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process before the 2027 general elections.
In his lecture on the role of the media in electoral reform and democratic development, Dr. Tony Onyima, Senior Lecturer at Paul University, Awka, emphasised that electoral reform remains vital to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.
“Democracy is never complete. It is always a work in progress. Elections are not merely about figures on a tally sheet; they are about trust. So let us investigate with persistence. Let us educate with clarity,” he charged.
The Citizens’ Memorandum, stakeholders agreed, represents a pivotal step towards consolidating democratic gains, ensuring inclusivity, and strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process before the 2027 general elections.
