2023: TMG expresses worry over high rate of political intolerance
… condemns vandalization of INEC offices, attacks on officials
Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a respected civil society and election observation group, has expressed worry over the growing rate of political intolerance displayed by states and their citizens as the 2023 general elections move closer.
Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the chairman of the TMG, in a signed statement on Thursday, expressed dissatisfaction at the manner INEC offices were burnt, materials were vandalized and personnels were attacked in some states.
He also condemned the manner some state governments has refused to allow opposition parties to make use of public facilities for their election campaigns and rallies.
“The high rate of cases of arson at the INEC offices in Ogun and Osun States which has led to the loss of 904 election boxes and 65,699 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have become an alarming issue with the critical infrastructure of INEC increasingly being targeted, recent attacks appear like a systematic assault meant to cripple INEC operations ahead of the 2023 general election.
“We have also witnessed scenarios where some state governments prevent the opposition from using public facilities for their campaigns which have been readily available to them.
“It is on the backdrop that TMG is partnering the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE), an initiative funded by USAID to support citizens’ engagement in the 2023 general elections, the partnership is aimed at improving citizen’s participation and stakeholders’ engagement towards a violent-free, participatory and credible 2023 election.”
Mr Rafsanjani said the organisations will mobilise a great number of members across Nigeria to effect the achievements of the aims of the collaboration.
“The collaboration among the two foremost organisations will adopt robust engagements with stakeholders while also initiating a system to monitor and publicize the campaign promises of the major political parties before and after the elections.
“Also the partnership will also be seeking to promote an issue-based electoral campaign and to observe and report electoral conduct to reflect the yearnings of citizens in the elections,” the statement noted.
Mr Rafsanjani also said the partnership is ready to resolve significant national issues such as thuggery, election violence, voters intimidations and vote-buying.
He added that the partnership is ready to address other issues such as intimidation by security personnel and officials of the government and keenly monitor the e-electoral guidelines to do away with any malpractice in the elections.
“In achieving the set objectives, TMG will be adopting the following approaches, documenting and publicising election promises of candidates and political parties, training the trainers workshop for TMG members across the country in Abuja, and supporting electoral debates for select parties at the state and national levels,” the statement added.
