Tools & Resources
Filter by
Type
Publication date
Language
Type
Publication date
Language
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
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
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Votul Tau Conteaza
“Your Vote Counts” is a voter graphic pamphlet, available in Romanian, issued in 2003 by the Association for Democratic Participation of Moldova, in lead up to the May 25, 2003 Local Elections in Moldova, and intended to familiarize and stimulate voters with the voter registration process and the voting instructions. The pamphlet is a series of drawings accompanied by short explanations on the voting process.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Pentru cine votezi la Alegerile Locale?
“Whom Will You Vote For in the Local Elections?” is a voter brochure, available in Romanian, published in 2003 by the Association for Democratic Participation of Moldova, in lead up to the May 25, 2003 Local Elections in Moldova, and intended to familiarize voters with the local offices they will be voting for and the responsibilities to be performed by those elected. In the May 25, 2003 Local Elections, voters voted for the County Councils, Local Councils, and the Mayor.
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
Publication
Report/Paper
International Election Observation, Honduras, November 21-27 2001: Observation Guide
This document reports on IFES election observations from the November 2001 general elections in Honduras. The document includes observations from various organizations such as the CIA, CNN Election Watch and USAID.
November 14, 2001
Election Material
Civic Education Material
cum sa votez?
“How do I Vote?” is a voter graphic pamphlet, available in Romanian, issued in 2001 by the IFES, the Center for Democratic Participatory Development, and the Central Electoral Commission, in lead up to the 2001 Parliamentary Elections in Moldova, and intended to familiarize and stimulate voters with the voter registration process and the voting instructions. The pamphlet is a series of drawings accompanied by short explanations on the voting process.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Moldova Election Brochure
“Moldova Election Brochure” is a voter handbook, available in Romanian, issued in 2001 by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and the Center for Democratic Participatory Development, in lead up to the February 25, 2001 Parliamentary Elections in Moldova, and intended to stimulate voters to exercise their right to vote and to familiarize them with the voting instructions and the structure and functions of the Parliament to be elected by them.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Civic Voice Newsletter
“Civic Voice Newsletter” is the March-April 7th Edition of the “Civic Voice” informative bulletin, available in Russian, published in 2001 by the IFES-Moldova and is intended to serve as a source of information regarding the political and electoral situation in the Republic of Moldova. The bulletin contains a series of interviews, commentaries and analyses of different experts on the political and electoral conditions in the country. This particular edition includes an Interview with D. Diacov and Rumen Valcev. Additionally it contains an editorial written by I. Botan on Referendums. Additionally, this edition contains a brief profile of the Public Welfare Foundation and an editorial on civic registration, as well as other topics related to the political and electoral situation in Moldova.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Parteneriatul pas cu pas
“The Partnership: Step by Step” is an informative bulletin, available in Romanian, published in 2000 by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, and is intended to present an analysis of the partnership between the local public administration and the different Non-Governmental Organizations. The brochure includes a presentation of the structure and functions of the local public administration, the role of the NGOs, the partnership between NGOs and the public authorities. Additionally, it includes a section explaining how to write project financing project. Moreover it contains four annexes with the contact information for the county councils, the local sponsors, as well as the contact information for the NGOs assistance centers.