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ECOWAS poll observers charged on integrity, dedication
ABUJA – The Head of ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Sunday’s second round Parliamentary polls in Mali, Prof. Amos Sawyer, has urged the 50 regional observers “to bring their experience, integrity, commitment and dedication to bear,” on their conduct as the region accompanies the country to exit its political and security crises.
“We must also bring love to and solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Mali since no one country in our region can achieve its full potential without taking others along,” Prof. Sawyer, former President of Liberia’s Interim Government of National Unity, told the ECOWAS observers in Bamako on Saturday 14th December 2013, before their deployment to the various regions of the country.
He described election as a “delicate operation” that could be used to deepen democracy and good governance, but which can also be a source of violence that can thwart the same principles and undermine development.
Prof. Amos Sawyer, who also led the 100-strong ECOWAS observers to the first round Parliamentary voting on 24th November 2013, is supported this time by Ambassador Leopold Ouedraogo, a Member of the ECOWAS Council of the Wise.
The first-round ended inconclusively, with only 20 deputies elected, including two women, out of the 147-seat Parliament with a voter turnout of 38.4%. Four of the elected deputies are from Kidal, one of the volatile northern regions.
Prof. Sawyer expressed optimism that Malians would turn out massively on Sunday to lend credibility to the electoral process. He also expressed the hope that adequate security arrangement would accompany the exercise for a successful process.
Earlier, the Head, ECOWAS Election Assistance Unit, Mr. Francis Oke, had informed the regional observers that normally, ECOWAS observed Presidential elections by Member States, but decided to go the extra-mile to observe the legislative run-off because of the country’s peculiar situation and as further demonstration of the region’s determination and commitment to accompany Malians in ensuring the successful conclusion of the political transition.
Unlike the first round balloting that involved ¬¬6.5 million registered voters in 55 Constituencies and more than 12,000 polling centres in the country of 16.9 million people, an estimated 5.9 million voters are expected to cast their ballots in about 10,000 polling centres and 45,000 constituencies nationwide on Sunday.
In its Preliminary Declaration, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission which observed the first round balloting across Mali’s eight regions and the Municipalities of the capital, Bamako, adjudged the conduct as credible and transparent.
This followed successful presidential elections last July/August in the country also observed by ECOWAS.
The deployment of poll observers is in furtherance of efforts to help Mali conclude the ECOWAS-facilitated transitional road map for the restoration of full constitutional order and the country’s territorial integrity in the aftermath of last year’s military coup and separatist insurrection in the north.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have disclosed details of their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification came amid speculation surrounding the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leaders of several opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
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Speaking during a gathering hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with Tinubu followed an official invitation from the Presidency and lasted about an hour.
According to Gombe, the discussion centred on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to remind the president of the importance of conducting transparent, free, and credible elections.
Gombe noted that democracy can only thrive when governments listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure electoral processes that guarantee fairness and accountability.
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over growing voter apathy, pointing to the low turnout recorded in the recent Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the Abuja Municipal Area Council election witnessed only about seven per cent voter turnout, which he described as a clear sign that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral system.
Gombe urged the government and members of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to review electoral laws and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said political parties used the meeting to raise concerns about aspects of proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues related to indirect primaries and the mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Dantalle explained that the parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary, noting that reforms should strengthen, rather than complicate, the democratic process.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would consider the concerns raised and support necessary amendments that would improve the electoral system.
The IPAC chairman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.
Earlier in his remarks, Adebayo cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die contest, stressing that the primary goal of democracy should be the progress and stability of Nigeria rather than personal political victories.
He urged leaders across political parties to encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.
President Bola Tinubu and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele during his nomination on Wednesday.
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