EU Harps On LG As Catalyst For Sustainable Democracy
BY Chima Azubuike
The European Centre For Electoral Support (ECES), on Wednesday said for democracy to thrive, building a sustainable model of local government level is a crucial step.
Deputy project coordinator of ECES, Mr. Maji Wilson stated this at a one-day training for both journalists in Gombe State and officials of the state Independent Electoral Commission, preparatory to the December 19 LG poll in the state.
According to him, the role of all stakeholders towards ensuring citizens participates in electoral process, is also critical.
Wilson said, “Doing this will go a long way to promote willful and broad based participation, inclusivity, as well as ensure the culture of transparency and electoral integrity is entrenched at that level.
“Inherent to every process are challenges. Challenges if not properly managed could discredit the electoral process causing disaffection and circumvention of future elections.”
He stated that the elements of how to manage stakeholders interactions, conflicts, communication and information dissemination, will in no small ways help in addressing knotty issues.
“This training will also explore how to share some supportive tools from experiences ECES has gathered in implementing several projects across Africa and also Nigeria towards reinforcing capacities in effective administration and management of the elections.
“Training of Gombe SIEC is the first time ECES is piloting a sequenced training for SIECs, specifically customised to cover key thematic issues of electrical administration, conflict management, media and communication, and bringing together election managers at the state level,” Wilson added.
