EU earmarks 39 million euros for credible polls in Nigeria | Tellwell Newspaper
Tellwell Newspaper, Abuja – Nigeria:
The European Union (EU) would on Monday launch a 39 million euros programme to promote “transparent, inclusive and credible” polls in Nigeria.
The five-year project, dubbed EU support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), aimed at fostering democratic pluralism and transparent electoral process in Nigeria, the EU said in a statement obtained by Tellwell Newspaper on Friday.
“Ahead of the 2023 General Election, Nigeria is at a pivotal moment that allows the country to take important steps to consolidate democracy and strengthen the electoral process,” Samuela Isopi, Ambassador of the EU to Nigeria and ECOWAS said in the statement.
The project, funded under the EU’s Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument,
would focus on six priority areas identified by the Nigerian government.
These priority areas include the improvement on the quality of electoral administration and strengthening capacities for legislative and judicial reform in compliance with democratic principles and standards.
The project would also dwell on enhancing pluralism, internal democracy and equality of opportunity in the political parties and the political party system.
Media empowerment through the promotion of fair and ethical coverage of the electoral process would be part of the project’s priorities, as well as combating hate speech and
disinformation.
The funds would also be invested in civil society organisations to demand greater transparency and accountability in the electoral and decision making process, and promote greater participation by the electorate.
These efforts, according to Isopi, were intended to strengthen the capacity to conduct “well-managed elections and with ample participation of all Nigerians.”
“For this to happen, all must contribute, from the key institutions to the political parties and candidates, from media to civil society,” Isopi said.
