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Election Material
Civic Education Material
Local Government Elections
“Local Government Elections” is a specimen ballot paper from Nigeria, published by the Grassroots Studies Network, which illustrates how to vote in the Local Government Elections happening on December 5, 1998. The document informs the reader of the parties running for election and the time of the election.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Ghana experiments with civic education
“Ghana Experiments with Civic Education” is an article by Fred Hayward featured in Africa Report in the May 1971 edition. Hayward discusses the origins of the Center for Civic Education and stresses its importance to Ghana’s commitment to just government. The CCE, Hayward reports, is committed to honest, efficient, democratic government and emphasizes the role of the citizen in the democratic political system. Hayward argues it is imperative that the CCE remain a non-partisan agency and refers to it as an “innovative experiment in civic education.”
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Some Questions and Answers on Voter Registration
This document entitled “Some Questions and Answers on Voter Registration” was published in 1995 by the Electoral Commission of Ghana and provides brief answers to basic questions on the new registration process, general voting rules and regulations, and the electoral structure in Ghana. This pamphlet was funded by Supporting the Electoral Process (STEP) with a grant from USAID and IFES.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Kofi & Ama Learn about Voter Registration
In order to educate and encourage the Ghanaian public, the Electoral Commission of Ghana produced this comic strip in 1995, a year before the national elections. Aimed directly at the youth population, this comic strip provides information regarding the new registration process, voting rules and qualifications, and other facets of basic electoral knowledge. This document was funded by the Supporting the Electoral Process (STEP) with a grant from USAID and IFES.
Election Material
Election and Political Party Law
Electoral Act 1982 - Nigeria
Electoral Act 1982 - Nigeria
Publication
Report/Paper
Project ECSELL: Enhancing Civil Society Effectiveness at the Local Level - Training Manuals
This training manual was developed to enhance the participation of stakeholders in local governance in Ghana. This document contains the agenda, diagrams and explanations of Project ECSELL (Enhancing Civil Society Effectiveness at the Local Level).
February 28, 1998
Publication
Electoral Assessment
Inclusion Practices Implemented by Election Management Bodies in Africa
A new study from IFES focuses on the different practices that EMBs have implemented on the African continent to include traditionally underrepresented voters, such as women and persons with disabilities.
April 22, 2021
Publication
Report/Paper
Overcoming Challenges to Democracy and Governance Programs in Post-Conflict Countries: CEPPS Lessons Learned
How can democracy and governance programs be more effective in post-conflict environments?
May 18, 2021
Publication
Report/Paper
Political Money and Political Corruption: Considerations for Nigeria
November 28, 2003
Publication
Report/Paper
Promoting Electoral Access for Citizens with Disabilities: Considerations for Nigeria, INEC-Civil Society Forum Seminar on Agenda for Electoral Reform, 27-28 November 2003, Abuja, Nigeria
The right to participate in and stand for election is a fundamental human right. According to Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: “Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in Article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions: (a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives’ (b) To vote and be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors; (c) To have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in his country.” The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights sets an international standard for the conduct of the elections and the right of participation in that process. In reviewing the Constitutional and legal framework of Nigeria’s electoral process, it is important to ensure that this framework meets international standards, while taking into account the nation’s experience and political and social environment. The right of participation of “every citizen” is one that must be guaranteed by law and by the way the electoral process is conducted. In Nigeria, citizens with disabilities face legal as well as practical barriers to equal participation in the electoral process. However, this electoral review affords the opportunity to ensure that the rights of citizens with disabilities are protected by law and by practice. There is no reliable data on how many of Nigeria’s approximately 120 million citizens live with some sort of physical or mental disability. Nigerian census officials last submitted statistics on disability to the United Nations over 12 years ago, estimating at that time that .5 percent of the population was disabled. This figure is not comparable to the international norm and is a severe under-estimate. In the United States, at least 6% of population has some form of obvious disability – is blind or visually impaired; deaf; a wheelchair user or has an intellectual disability. However, with Nigeria’s incidence of polio, nutritional problems and difficulties with access to healthcare, the percentage of Nigerians with obvious disabilities is likely to be higher – perhaps 10% or more. With an estimated population of 120 million, that would be more than 12 million citizens with disabilities – half of whom are of voting age, at least some 6 million people. This, of course, does not take into account persons with hidden or even undiagnosed disabilities, such as learning disabilities, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, etc. Section 17(2) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution states that “every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before law.” Do the Constitutional and legal provisions governing the conduct of elections guarantee this right for those Nigerian citizens with disabilities? Are Nigerians with disabilities able to equally participate in and stand for election?
November 26, 2003