As Enugu State gears up for its much-anticipated Local Government Elections on September 21, 2024, preparations are in full swing, with 120 election observers undergoing specialized training. This initiative, spearheaded by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with the South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO), the Justice, Development, Peace and Caritas Commission (JDPC) Enugu, and the Enugu State Government, aims to ensure a transparent and smooth election process.
The local government elections present a unique opportunity for rural voters to elect their leaders, making these elections crucial for grassroots democracy. Mr. Celestine Odo, Head of Programmes at ActionAid Nigeria, emphasized the significance of this election, noting that it empowers rural communities to actively participate in governance and hold their representatives accountable.
“Local elections are a direct way for people in rural areas to influence their development and ensure their voices are heard in decisions that impact their everyday lives,” Odo remarked during the training’s opening ceremony on Monday in Enugu.
Participants are receiving hands-on guidance on the critical aspects of election monitoring, focusing on the conduct of the election, behavior of security personnel, and the role of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC). Observers will also be trained on how to collect and report data via a specialized election-reporting app that will be installed on their smartphones.
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In a joint statement, SSDO’s Head of Programmes, Mr. Udochukwu Egwim, highlighted the importance of this training for improving local governance, especially since local government councils oversee vital services like primary education, healthcare, and local infrastructure.
With over two million eligible voters set to elect chairmen for 17 council areas and councilors for 260 political wards, the upcoming Enugu LG election holds significant importance for the state’s grassroots development. However, as Egwim pointed out, local elections often face low voter turnout due to a lack of awareness. This makes the role of these trained observers even more critical in ensuring that the elections are not only fair but also encourage greater voter participation.
As the countdown to the Enugu LG elections continues, the success of this two-day training program will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. All eyes are now on the 120 observers, whose work will ensure that the voices of rural communities are accurately captured and represented.
