FG Inaugurates Stakeholders’ Meeting on Policy Oversight for Electoral Integrity

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government has inaugurated the stakeholders’ Meeting on Policy Oversight for Electoral Integrity in Nigeria.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, convened the meeting yesterday, in collaboration with the African Electoral Integrity Initiative.

He said the federal government was committed to fair, transparent and accountable electoral system, as foundation of democracy in the country.

The SGF noted that the gathering represented the convergence of the nation’s collective interest with a shared vision to uphold the sanctity of its electoral processes.

 “It signifies a critical milestone in our collective pursuit of a free, fair, transparent, and equitable electoral system,” he said.

“We have gathered here as unified assembly of stakeholders, representing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other election management bodies, political parties, civil society organisations, law enforcement agencies, media, international development partners, and distinguished ladies and gentlemen with a common goal to hone and fortify our democracy,” he stressed.

He added that the mandate of the forum was to scrutinise the country’s existing electoral legislations and endeavour to identify best practices that will serve as guidelines for free, fair and transparent elections.

 He assured that more efforts would be put in place to make Nigeria elections more effective and efficient by adopting technological tools in the electoral processes.

In his words: “I want to emphasise that the responsibility for safeguarding the integrity of our electoral processes rests not only with the government but on all of us. Let us work together to uphold the principles of free, fair and transparent electoral system, for the benefit of all Nigerians and the sustainability of our democracy.”

The SGF, who expressed gratitude of the federal  government to the Director of the African Electoral Integrity Initiative, Dr. Daniel Omofoman, for his unwavering dedication to the cause of political integrity in Nigeria, charged participants and all Nigerians to join hands in ensuring a brighter and more transparent electoral future for the country.

Speaking on behalf of the inaugurated Stakeholders Round-Table Meeting, Omofoman assured that the meeting would accord them the opportunity to explore workable solutions and suggestions that would strengthen and revolutionise the nation’s electoral processes thereby deepening democracy.