The Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu has stated that the promotion of human rights by all stakeholders is crucial for the credibility and overall success of the 2023 general elections.

He noted that free and fair elections were key tenets of a democratic system of governance, with thriving democracy providing an enabling environment for human rights to thrive.

Ojukwu spoke yesterday in Benin, Edo State at the national consultation on the role of law enforcement and security agencies in protecting voter access and participation during the February 25 and March 11 general elections in the country.

The forum, with many resource persons, had in attendance many top officials of law enforcement and security agencies, as well as other critical stakeholders, including the Programme Officer of Ford Foundation, Joy Ebor, and Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin branch, Nosa Edo-Osagie.

The consultation, aimed at integrating human rights into the 2023 electoral process, was organised by NHRC, with the support of Ford Foundation and the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP).

Executive secretary of NHRC said: “The right to participate in the governance process including the right to vote and to stand for elections is central to a democracy. This principle is emphasised by Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Section 14(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

“Elections are germane in creating an enabling environment for the fulfilment of human rights. It has been recognised by the United Nations that the right to vote and be elected is interwoven with the enjoyment of a plethora of other key human rights, which include the right to freedom of association, right to peaceful assembly, right to freedom of movement, right to freedom of information, and the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

“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.”

Ojukwu also reiterated that security and law enforcement agencies would always play crucial roles in protecting voters’ access and ensuring full participation of citizens in elections.

He said: “Ours is a young democracy, and the 2023 elections are coming at a time of immense national challenges, in terms of security, economy and social cohesion.

“The NHRC has watched with dismay, current attacks on law enforcement and facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in some parts of the country. We condemn these attacks and call on relevant authorities to note that these are attacks on democracy and by extension, human rights protection architecture of Nigeria.

“Recent elections in Osun, Ekiti and Anambra States have shown the role that a well-informed and well-trained law enforcement machinery can play in producing peaceful and people-centered electoral outcomes, in accordance with electoral and human rights principles.

“The 2023 elections are significant milestones in our journey towards consolidating our democracy, as the elections will be the first under the new Electoral Act, with its unique amendments that include the deployment of new technologies during the voting process; the election will throw in new political leaderships at the national level and in more than 15 states; and the elections come at a time when Nigeria continues to face huge human rights challenges, ranging from insecurity, weak law enforcement, poverty to inequalities.”

NHRC’s executive secretary also stated that since 1999, when Nigeria began its current democratic voyage, the NHRC had been playing fundamental roles in advancing Nigeria’s democracy through the development of programmes aimed at integrating human rights into the electoral process and supporting democratic institutions and election management bodies to deliver on their mandates.

He said: “Since the general elections in 2011, the percentage of eligible voters participating in election has been on the decline. The 35 per cent voter turnout in the 2019 presidential election was a wake call for the commission and other stakeholders. The downward trend has continued in subsequent off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Anambra States.

“Since voting is an expression of human rights of citizens to enthrone government to manage their affairs, their participation in the process is the foundation of building legitimacy and upholding constitutional democracy in Nigeria.”

Ojukwu was hopeful that the 2023 general elections would be a coming of age for Nigeria, while assuring that the nation would emerge as a model for free, fair and credible elections in Africa.

Ford Foundation’s Programme Officer, Joy Ebor, in her remarks, urged law enforcement and security agents to be on the good side of history, by ensuring the maintenance of law and order, for the general elections to be free, fair and credible.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin branch, Nosa Edo-Osagie, while also speaking, admonished the stakeholders to ensure successful polls, devoid of thuggery, rigging or vote buying. (The Nation)