In it’s efforts to ensure free, fair, credible and violence-free elections in the country, the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, (PAACA) organized a day interactive town hall meeting on electoral reform.
The aims and objectives of the town hall meeting according to the Executive Director of PAACA, Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu targeting towards enhancing transparency and accountability in electoral process.
Ezenwa noted that the town hall meeting was an opportunity for stakeholders to brainstorm on our electoral reform and also to build national consensus on priority issues for electoral reforms through an inclusive and collaborative process.
The stakeholders interactive town hall meeting that was held in Ibadan, the Capital City of Oyo had in attendance various concerned groups and individuals such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Civil Society, Media, the national Orientation Agency (NOA), religion leaders, representative of women group among others.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the first panel session of the meeting, PAACA Executive Director, Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu stressed that the central idea of the town hall meeting is to popularize the electoral legal regime with which elections are conducted in the country.
He said, “this town hall meeting is meant to look into the gap that exist between the regulations and policies of electoral process.”
“The meeting is also meant to impact the constitutional amendment ongoing in the National Assembly.” Ezenwa said.
In his words the Head of Publicity Unit of INEC in Oyo state, Mr Olayiwola Awolowo, commended the organiser of the town hall meeting initiative for organizing such event. Awolowo noted that event of such magnitude will help the participants and offers them the opportunity to contribute their quota and views on electoral reform, stressing that every one must work together with INEC during electioneering process to ensure a credible polls.
He however suggested that there should be a separate commission that will see to the punishment of electoral offenders in order to reduce electoral offenses during elections.
In his remarks, the special adviser to Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde on Inter – faith affairs, Reverend Femi Ibikunle explained that the roles of the religious leaders are very crucial in a nation building, he maintained that the religious leaders plays vital roles in the selection of new leaders.
He said, “things can only be done in the right way when religious leaders preach the right message to their followers.”
Also in her brief remarks, Executive Director, The Young and Woman Initiative, Agbeja Adebobola, stated that the populace should be sensitised on electoral processes and responsibilities during elections adding that electoral offenders be prosecuted if found guilty of electoral offenses.