Free, Fair and Credible Elections: Key Issues in the 2011 Elections
organized by Speakers' Corner Trust Nigeria (SCTN) in collaboration with
Coalitions for Change (C4C) and its Issue Based Partners –7th December 2010
Democracy is still evolving in Nigeria. The simple definition of democracy as a
government of the people for the people by the people becomes a complicated idea
to achieve for Nigeria and Nigerians with its decades of military interventions
and dictatorships. Free and fair credible elections have yet to be attained in
this country in its experiments until this 2011 elections. Past experiences have
been that votes do not count as elections are rigged and the best of the riggers
takes the day. Violence mars the electoral practices, corruption, stealing of
ballot boxes, party machinations to undermine fairness and credibility, and the
list of electoral irregularities that take place in Nigeria goes on and on.
Against this background, not only do Nigerians not enjoy a free and fair
electoral system but they also have little influence on the issues discussed and
the agenda set both before and after the votes are 'cast and counted'.
As democracy grows and develops in Nigeria, citizens at each electoral period
develop new awareness and skills in understanding the Nigerian political and
electoral domain and the part that they should be allowed and enabled to play in
it as citizens. This awareness and call to action to uphold a free and credible
election where the mantra one adult one vote holds and citizens have real
influence on the programmes of parties, candidates and ultimately governments
cannot however happen in a vacuum. It must be catalyzed.
Speakers' Corner Trust Nigeria (SCTN) is the Nigerian counterpart of the UK
registered charity Speakers' Corner Trust. SCTN promotes free expression, public
debate and active citizenship as a means of supporting the development of a
strong civil society, accountable democratic institutions and robust citizens'
rights in Nigeria. SCTN's principal aim is to create new opportunities for
public participation in governance by developing a forum for open debate through
which citizens can exchange ideas and opinions, develop consensus, hold their
elected representatives and others to account and influence policy-making and
decision-taking. SCTN's projects are designed to stimulate and support public
discussion and debate and hopefully should, lead to greater public influence on
local decision-making and increased confidence in the democratic process;
inspired practical community action; improved understanding between or within
communities; or simply be personally enriching and enjoyable. The central
principle in all these events is that they should be accessible to all, strictly
non-partisan and non-adversarial, welcome diversity and seek to inform opinion
and identify common ground.
Working with support from the Coalitions for Change (C4C), and in partnership
with its Issue based Partners, SCTN will hold a forum on the pre-election
process with the theme: Free, Fair and Credible Elections: Key Issues in the
2011 Elections
Date: Tuesday 7th December 2010
Time: 10am prompt to 2.00pm
Venue: Tender Vine Park, 104 Kashim Ibrahim Way, Wuse II, Abuja
This is to invite you (or your representative) to participate at this event.
There will be an opportunity to speak briefly on the key issues for 2011
elections from your perspective.
We look forward to your active participation.
Yours faithfully,
Ojobo
Ojobo Ode Atuluku
Project Coordinator
SCTN
www.speakerscornertrust.org
08051434242, 08076633788
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