The civil society organisations (CSOs), have called for constant capacity improvement and citizens’ awareness on the roles and rights in the Accountability and Anti-Corruption issues in elections.
The Conscience for Human Right and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) made the call in a communique issued after a one-day multi-stsleholders engagement on integrity and community ownership in the fight against corruption towards the Nov. 11 governorship elections, in Aiyetoro, Ijumu LGA.
NAN reports that participants include: Community based artisan groups, Women Groups, Religious and Youth Leaders, hunters associations, National union of Road Transport Workers, among others.
The communique which was signed by Idris Miliki, the Executive Director or CHRCR, said the workshop was meant to open up an ongoing dialogue on how to refine behavioural change and bring out the best among citizens.
“To strengthen our community efforts at positive transformation, and make it possible for citizens to imbibe the core value of integrity in the fight against corruption,” it said.
The communique urged citizens to be courageous in demanding for accountability and transparency on elections at state level as this remained their constitutional rights and responsibility.
“There is need to improve the constant capacity and awareness of citizens on the roles and rights in the Accountability and Anti-Corruption issues in elections.
“Citizens must continue to hold elected political leaders accountable by insisting on the establishment of functional Constituency Offices where community engagements can be achieved.
“There must be a concerted effort by the political actors to engage the citizens constantly and effectively on issues of Governance and their responsibilities.
“Elected representatives of the people, particularly Legislators at all levels must ensure that they have functional Constituency offices where citizens can access them,” it said.
The communique urged the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) to address the integrity issues associated with the conduct of the 2020 Local Government Elections especially as regards the election results.
It further urged KOSIEC to put machinery in place for the conduct of the Local government elections whose current tenure would expire on Dec. 14, 2023.
It demanded for issue-based election campaigns by political parties and their candidates to ensure that citizens issues remained at the forefront of their campaigns.
Security agencies must rise up and perform their statutory duties of protecting the lives and properties of citizens especially during the upcoming governorship elections, and maintain neutrality at all cost.
The communique cautioned citizens against spreading fake news and hate speech, while urging Government to take proactive measures to curb the menace.
It further enjoined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to live above board in the discharge of the statutory functions.
The participants emphasised on the effective way of achieving the task ahead through the instrumentality of ethics and Integrity in the fight against corruption and promoting accountability at state level.
They appreciated CHRCR and CISLAC for their consistency in the crusade against corruption and accountability with the continued support of ohn D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.