‘Voter education key to strengthening democracy’

The Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA), has emphasised the crucial role of voter education in sustaining democracy in Nigeria, saying that an informed electorate is essential for democratic governance, as it enables citizens to make informed decisions at the polls. PAACA Executive Director, Ezenwa Nwagwu, while speaking in Yola, the Adamawa State […]

The Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA), has emphasised the crucial role of voter education in sustaining democracy in Nigeria, saying that an informed electorate is essential for democratic governance, as it enables citizens to make informed decisions at the polls.

PAACA Executive Director, Ezenwa Nwagwu, while speaking in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, at a one-day citizens town hall meeting on electoral reforms, also urged citizens, political parties, media and CSOs to familiarise themselves with the electoral Act, emphasising that understanding of the provisions of Electoral Act is crucial for credible elections.

He stressed the importance of equipping citizens with knowledge about electoral processes, saying that “We want to take time to put our participants through this Electoral Act and popularise it.”

He explained that voter education encompasses more than just understanding the voting process, but that it also involves civic education, which conveys knowledge of a country’s political system and context.

“One of the things that happen is that people talk about elections as if it is an all-comers affair. But election processes must be understood,” he said.

While acknowledging improvements in the Nigeria’s electoral system, Nwagwu noted that more work needed to be done.

“Our elections are improving. But we are not following the improvements that are taking place,” he said, adding that there is room for improvements, pointing to the persistent challenge of logistics.

The meeting supported by the MacArthur Foundation drew participants from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), political parties, security agencies, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), FIDA, the Media community and traditional leaders.