International Democracy Day
In an effort to enhance electoral accountability and bolster the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, The Electoral Hub, in collaboration with the Madiba Foundation for Good Governance and with support from the MacArthur Foundation’s Organising for a New Nigeria (OON) project, is convening an Electoral Ad-hoc Staff Experience Sharing Roundtable. This event is scheduled to commemorate International Democracy Day on September 15, 2023.
The significance of this roundtable lies in its commitment to engaging and learning from the invaluable experiences of ad-hoc staff who played pivotal roles in the recently concluded 2023 General Election and the 2022 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States. These individuals, serving as Supervising Presiding Officers (SPOs), Presiding Officers (POs), and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs), bear the weighty responsibility of safeguarding the electoral process’s integrity and ensuring the overall success of elections.
Firsthand Accounts
The roundtable seeks to serve as a comprehensive repository of knowledge by documenting the experiences of ad-hoc staff. These firsthand accounts will become invaluable lessons for the management of electoral staff in future elections. Participants in the roundtable will undergo rigorous training, equipping them with a deeper understanding of Nigeria’s electoral processes.
According to Princess Hamman-Obels, Director, IRIAD-The Electoral Hub, this initiative aims to create a dedicated corps of electoral advocates committed to upholding and safeguarding the integrity of future elections.
The insights and recommendations generated during this event will be channelled towards policy improvements in ad-hoc staff management, further enhancing the credibility and accountability of Nigeria’s electoral system.
Submission of Applications
For those who served as INEC ad-hoc staff in the mentioned elections and are eager to share their experiences and receive training, this presents a unique opportunity. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit their applications, including a one-page letter of interest detailing their ad-hoc work information (State, LGA, Ward, PU, and Type of Election) and evidence of their participation as electoral ad-hoc staff. All applications must be sent to electoralhubng@gmail.com and are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 11, 2023.
Timely and Essential
The Electoral Hub’s initiative, supported by esteemed partners, is a commendable step toward fortifying Nigeria’s democratic processes and ensuring a brighter electoral future for the nation. By leveraging the experiences and expertise of those at the frontlines of elections, this roundtable promises to catalyse positive change in Nigeria’s electoral landscape.
In a nation where the credibility of electoral processes has been a subject of scrutiny, the initiative taken by the Electoral Hub, in collaboration with the Madiba Foundation for Good Governance and with support from the MacArthur Foundation, is nothing short of timely and essential. Initiatives like the Electoral Ad-hoc Staff Experience Sharing Roundtable offer a beacon of hope. By tapping into the wealth of knowledge and experience possessed by electoral workers, this initiative can potentially drive positive change in Nigeria’s electoral landscape. Ultimately, it’s a stride toward a stronger, more transparent, and accountable democracy for all Nigerians.
