Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission(NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu, has sounded a note of warning that the Commission will not spare any efforts in deploying its protective mandate in putting into place accountability platforms that will bring to justice any law enforcement or security agent who commits any violation of human rights in the course of election operations.
He was speaking during the national consultation on the role of law enforcement and security agencies in protecting voter access and participation during elections organised by the Commission with the support of the Ford Foundation and the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) as part of the Commission’s engagement aimed at integrating human rights into the 2023 electoral process held in Benin City.
According to him “the fulfilment and enjoyment of human rights are critical cannons of a properly functioning democratic system as a thriving democracy provides an enabling environment for human rights to thrive
It is on this foundational premise that the NHRC launched its Election 2023 project called Mobilizing Voters for Elections (MOVE).
“The project was officially launched on the 17th of October 2022 with the aim integrating human rights principles in the electoral process to ensure access, participation and accountability in the 2023 elections.
The need for this project was also informed by the Commission’s concern over voter participation in elections which seems to have translated into a very serious case of voter apathy.
“It might interest us to know that since the general elections in 2011, the percentage of eligible voters participating in election has been on the decline. The 35percent voter turnout in the 2019 presidential elections was a wake up call for the Commission and other stakeholders. The downward trend has continued in subsequent off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Anambra States.”
Going further, Chief Ojukwu stressed that “the election comes at a time when Nigeria continues to face huge human rights challenges, ranging from insecurity to insecurity, weak law enforcement, poverty and inequalities. The Commission is hopeful that the 2023 elections will be a coming-of-age for Nigeria as it emerges as a model for free, fair and credible elections in Africa and enthrone a government.”
In conclusion, he asserted: “On our part, the National Human Rights Commission will not spare any efforts in deploying its protective mandate in putting into place accountability platforms that will bring to justice any law enforcement or security agent who commits any violation of human rights in the course of election operations.
“The Commission will be issuing a National Guideline on the Role of Law Enforcement and Security Agencies in Protecting Voter Access and Participation during Elections. It is my utmost expectation that these guidelines will advisory notes to law enforcement and security agencies in their election operations.”
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