By Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA
The renowned think tank, Centre for Democracy and Development CDD and the United Kingdom foreign, commonwealth and Development office (FCDO) have urged all presidential candidates and their supporters to uphold the peace accords signed on 29th of September 2022 and the 22nd of February 2023, as well as to observe the Electoral Act.
CDD, also deployed a total of 4,993 trained and accredited observers, data clerks and fact-checkers, and social media monitors for both the presidential, legislative, and governorship elections, to assess the election.
According to the pre-election brief signed by the EAC Chair, Professor Adele Jinadu, and CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, all the political parties should ensure that their supporters adhere to the conditions laid out in the National Peace Accord through the voting process and after the announcement of results.
“INEC should continue to communicate regularly with Nigerians about the ongoing election process and is as transparent as possible during the collation and announcement of results.
“The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security must ensure that all security personnel on electoral duty adhere to the agreed code of conduct and rules of engagement”.
Speaking on fake news, he said “Social media companies should support the work of fact-checking organizations by promptly taking down digital content that promotes political disinformation or hate speech that relates to the election.
“Nigerian voters, and citizens in the diaspora, should critically assess information that they receive about the elections before sharing to help prevent the spread of malicious information about the elections.
“The government should ensure INEC and the security agencies have the necessary resources at their disposal to roll out their comprehensive plans for election day operations that ensure polls take place in a safe, free, and fair environment.
In his goodwill message, FCDO delegation to Nigeria, Chris Pycroft urged all presidential candidates and their supporters to uphold the peace accords signed on the 29th of September 2022 and the 22nd of February 2023, as well as to observe the Electoral Act.
According to him, The UK strongly supports free fair, and peaceful elections in Nigeria and will continue to support the strengthening of democracy in Nigeria.
He commended the Center for democracy and development on the elections Analysis Center, monitoring the integrity of these critically important elections.
He said, “The role of the election in 2019 cannot be overstated. It was critical in combating fake news and cross-examining media coverage of the elections.
“In this electoral cycle, the pervasiveness of fake news of myths and disinformation in the media has been disturbing. The elections Analysis Center and its experts need to leverage previous experience to address these worrying trends.
“Nigeria must go to the polls this weekend against the backdrop of security concerns in a challenging economic situation”.
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