A non-governmental organization, ActionAid, in collaboration with the South Sahara Social Development Organization (SSDO), has commenced the training of 120 election observers for the forthcoming Enugu Local Government Area election.
The observers, drawn from the 17 local government areas of the state, began a two-day training at Jubilee Hall, Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, on Monday.
Speaking during his opening remarks, the Head of Programmes at ActionAid Nigeria, Celestine Odo, said the training was to ensure the inclusion of women, youth, and people with disabilities in the forthcoming LG election in Enugu State.
He explained that the training of observers was necessary due to the importance the organization attaches to grassroots development, which is geared toward promoting social justice and combating poverty and inequalities.
He emphasized that the reports from the observers would help improve the electoral process, noting that one key right of citizens is the freedom to participate in elections and elect candidates of their choice.
“We are here today conducting the training of election observers for the forthcoming local government election in Enugu State, scheduled for the 21st of September, 2024. We are doing this training because the issue of local government is very important to ActionAid as an organization, as we work with the people and they are our constituents.
“Our core mandate is promoting social justice, fighting poverty, and inequality. The local government is where the majority of people are, and we are concerned about the poor and vulnerable, especially those in remote areas whose voices often can’t be heard. Our mandate is to amplify their voices and ensure the government hears them,” he said.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager of SSDO, Udochukwu Egwim, said they are training observers to accurately report what happens during the election, which will help electoral authorities make adjustments for a better electoral process.
He noted that the observers would use mobile data collection tools during the election to collect and report information to their situation rooms for assistance and updates, adding that civil society organizations are working hard to ensure that elections in Nigeria are reformed.
