The Chairperson of the Independent Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), Cllr. Dempster Brown is warning member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to discourage “Militancy” for peaceable elections within the area.
“If we want a peaceful elections Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, it is time we collectively joined our voices in discouraging and avoid militancy across our region,” he stated.
Out of the fifteen member states of ECOWAS, three are anticipated to go to the polls this 12 months to elect their new leaders, whereas different member states can be anticipated to have interaction the polls in 2024.
Liberia which Africa’s oldest republic is slated to carry its Presidential and Legislative elections in October this 12 months and plenty of this elections shall be a milestone for a rustic nonetheless recovering from years of civil struggle and a devastating epidemic and the federal government as an entire.
Incumbent President George M. Weah has confronted criticism for failing to sort out rampant corruption and for being away from the nation to observe the World Cup in Qatar whereas the nation confronted an financial downturn as he additionally anticipated to confronted a already divided opposition block.
Sierra Leone, in June may also maintain its Presidential and parliamentary elections. President Julius Maada Bio is anticipated to hunt a second time period, whereas his Sierra Leone People’s Party shall be hoping to retain its majority within the nationwide meeting, which has been threatened by rising discontent over the excessive value of residing.
Nigeria which is taken into account as essentially the most populated African Country Presidential election shall be held on 25 February 2023 to elect a brand new President and Vice President. Other federal elections, together with elections to the House of Representatives and the Senate, may also be held on the identical date whereas state elections shall be held two weeks afterward on 11 March.
The February normal election has raised an excessive amount of expectation amongst younger voters who’re desirous to see the top of President Muhammadu Buhari’s rule. As the nation grapples with an financial downturn and heightened insecurity, Nigerians hope that the train can herald leaders with the vigor to sort out their nation’s decline.
But talking yesterday, January 17, 2023 throughout a one-day lecture collection to advertise free and honest elections in West Africa, organized by INCHR and the Office of the Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS fee to Africa in commemoration of 2023 ECOWAS Human Rights Day, the INCHR additional that free and honest elections are key to sustaining peace within the west African area.
He desires African leaders to desist from encouraging militancy amongst youth within the nation. “To have free and fair elections without conflict, political parties should avoid militancy, political parties should avoid recruiting young people and making them wear military uniforms,” Cllr. Brown stated.
“If we want peaceful elections in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, we should avoid militancy,” he added. The Human Right Boss additionally referred to as on politicians to chorus from Trucking voters from one location to a different of their quest to win elections- a doable instigator of violence.
Trucking within the context of Liberia refers to transporting voters to register to vote or to the polls to vote to affect the outcomes of an election.
Findings from the Liberia Electoral Access and Participation Survey, 2020(LEAP III) signifies that three-quarters of the survey inhabitants have been conscious of trucking. Respondents understanding somebody who was trucked was at 44% throughout LEAP III, and (2) direct expertise with trucking which was at 9% in the identical reporting interval.
Also commenting on the workings of the National Elections Commission within the ECOWAS area anticipated to go to the polls this 12 months, Cllr. Brown warned the respective fee to present the election to the winners and never favor anyone. “Give it to the person who wins the elections, don’t take a side.”
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