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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
Publication
Report/Paper
Manuel du droit Constitutionel a l intention des journalistes
Ce Manuel reprend de notes et de références sur le droit constitutionnel a Haïti. Le public auquel il s'adresse est de journalistes. L'objectif est donc autant d'aider les journalistes à capter la dimension juridique des faits observes, de parfaire leurs compétences, préciser le raisonnement juridique que de transmettre des connaissances brutes relatives au Droit Constitutionnel.
September 30, 2003
Publication
Report/Paper
Reforming Critical Operational Strategies: INEC Post-Election Seminar, "2003 General Elections: The Lessons and the Way Forward" 28-30 July 2003
Constitutional provisions, electoral legislation, regulations and the policies and the administrative framework of the electoral management body all govern the means by which elections are conducted. Providing an opportunity for all eligible voters to choose their government representatives, through operations that are cost-effective, credible and secure is a major challenge for election management bodies. In reviewing the operational strategies of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria in its conduct of the 2003 federal and state elections, it is necessary to examine the major areas of its operational approach. In any electoral environment, there are similar key issues for which effective solutions have to be found if election operations are to promote public confidence in the integrity and professionalism of electoral management, and acceptance of election results. Some questions to ask in conducting this review are: 1. What are the most suitable arrangements for voter registration and for voting? 2. What are the ways to ensure that registration centres and polling stations are run by trained and professional staff? 3. What materials can be used to ensure the credibility of the process? 4. What are the logistics strategies, to ensure the necessary materials are available and that the operations run efficiently? INEC’s operational strategies, within the legislative and administrative framework, dictate how the elections are conducted, and whether their outcome will be accepted by the participants. If the operational strategies are successful, all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate fully in the process; registration centres and polling stations open on time and the periods of operations are respected; materials are adequately supplied and properly used; all necessary registration and election staff are present and conduct their duties according to the law and regulations; and the election results are compiled in a transparent manner, announced in a timely fashion and accepted, leading to the inauguration of the newly-elected officials. Shortcomings in the operational strategies lessen the credibility of the electoral process and in confidence of the electoral management body, paving the way for future difficulties with regard to respect for the conduct of elections and the democratic process as a whole.
July 27, 2003
Publication
Report/Paper
International Observation Mission Paraguay: General Elections April 27, 2003. Final Report
This report is issued as a record of the observations made by the IFES mission concerning the 2003 nationwide elections in Paraguay. It also presents a series of technical suggestions for the consideration of the Paraguayan government in the organization and administration of future elections.
June 18, 2003
Publication
Report/Paper
Paraguay: Mision de Observacion Internacional, Elecciones Generales, 27 de Abril del 2003, Informe Final
June 18, 2003
Publication
Survey
Indigenous and Women's Attitudes Toward Elections (2002) (Spanish)
En los últimos años los sistemas políticos han sido testigos de importantes reformas en sus sistemas y procedimientos electorales, las que persiguen la profundización de la democracia, por la vía de promover la universalidad y el libre acceso al voto. El Ecuador está en esta línea, pero sus peculiares condiciones sociales, culturales y políticas, todavía ocasionan distorsiones en la expresión democrática. La composición étnica del país es uno de los factores más importantes de diferenciación social a su interior. La incorporación de los indígenas a la vida política formal es relativamente reciente, y su participación ha ido incrementándose hasta llegar a niveles de alta influencia en la ocupación de cargos públicos y la formación de alianzas de poder.
February 28, 2003
Publication
Report/Paper
Womens Leadership Training Program: Paraguay IFES Final Activity Report
This report summarizes IFES’ efforts from the League of Women Voters projects in Paraguay. The project’s aim was to prepare women leaders for the November 2001 municipal elections on topics such as voters, campaign workers, constituency organizers, issue advocates and candidates.
January 28, 2002
Publication
Report/Paper
Judicial Independence Conference Lima, Peru Nov 29-30, 2001
This report summarizes the Judicial Independence Conference in Lima, Peru from November 2001. The event was intended to and served multiple purposes. Among other things, it imparted a wealth of rich, new comparative information, as well as lessons learned, through a serious, well organized discussion of judicial independence.
January 27, 2002
Publication
Report/Paper
Election Observation Mission; Honduras General Elections, Nov 25, 2001, Final Report
This report summarizes IFES election observations in Honduras (2001). The report discusses the current (circa 2001) electoral system and the training of poll-workers, voter registration and vote counts
December 30, 2001