The chief director, Electoral School Nigeria (ECN), Kunle Lawal, has stated the electoral school performs a vital function in addressing political literacy in Nigeria.
Lawal, in a press release made obtainable to journalists in Abuja, stated within the coronary heart of Nigeria’s democratic panorama lies a profound problem – political illiteracy – saying regardless of a long time of independence and quite a few election cycles, a good portion of the populace stays unaware of the intricacies of governance and the obligations of elected officers.
“This hole in information not solely hinders the efficient functioning of our democracy but in addition perpetuates a cycle of unfulfilled guarantees and misguided expectations.
“Political illiteracy manifests in varied kinds. Many citizens are unable to differentiate between the roles and obligations of various political workplaces, resulting in misplaced expectations and accountability. Candidates, on their half, usually exploit this ignorance by making guarantees that lie exterior the jurisdiction of the workplace they search. The result’s a disillusioned voters and a political surroundings rife with confusion and distrust,” he famous.
Recognising the pressing want to deal with the difficulty, the ECN was established with a transparent mission to bridge the hole in political information and foster a extra knowledgeable and engaged citizenry.
“Our method is multifaceted, combining training, engagement, and empowerment to create a long-lasting impression.
“On the core of our efforts is a sturdy instructional framework consisting of 27 modules that cowl all facets of politics and governance. These modules are designed to offer complete insights into the workings of presidency, the electoral course of, and the rights and obligations of residents. By demystifying these ideas, we empower people to make knowledgeable choices and maintain their leaders accountable,” Lawal defined.
To deal with political illiteracy successfully, Lawal added; “the Electoral School Nigeria employs a number of key methods: Debates for Political Candidates, We manage debates for candidates to articulate their insurance policies and reply to important questions. These debates forestall candidates from making unrealistic guarantees and assist voters perceive the true scope of what their elected officers can obtain. This initiative ensures that each candidates and voters are conscious of the particular roles and limitations of varied political workplaces.”
Talking on training module, he stated: “Our complete 27-module curriculum covers each facet of politics and governance. These modules are designed to equip members with a deep understanding of political processes, the construction of presidency, and the obligations of various political workplaces. This information base is essential for creating an knowledgeable voters that may interact meaningfully within the democratic course of.
“Cohort-Based mostly Studying: We have now efficiently carried out a cohort-based studying system, with our fifteenth cohort quickly to be launched. Every cohort consists of people from numerous backgrounds, united by a dedication to enhancing their political literacy. This collaborative studying surroundings fosters peer-to-peer training and broadens members’ views on governance and politics.
“Neighborhood Engagement and Outreach: We actively interact with communities via workshops, seminars, and public boards. These outreach efforts carry our instructional packages to a wider viewers, making certain that even those that can’t take part in our cohorts straight profit from our assets and experience.
“Public Consciousness Campaigns; We conduct focused public consciousness campaigns to spotlight the significance of political literacy. These campaigns make the most of varied media platforms to succeed in a broad viewers, emphasizing the necessity for knowledgeable voting and energetic civic participation.”
Lawal additional pressured, “By specializing in these methods, the Electoral School Nigeria performs a pivotal function in addressing political illiteracy and fostering a extra knowledgeable and engaged voters. The impression of our efforts is clear. Graduates of the Electoral School Nigeria have gone on to change into energetic members within the political course of, whether or not as knowledgeable voters, advocates, and even candidates themselves. Their enhanced understanding of governance and political processes interprets into extra significant engagement and a stronger democracy.
“Nonetheless, the journey is way from over, as addressing political illiteracy is a steady course of that requires sustained effort and collaboration. We name on all stakeholders—instructional establishments, civil society organizations, the media, and the federal government—to affix us on this important endeavor. By working collectively, we are able to construct a extra knowledgeable voters and, consequently, a extra sturdy and responsive democracy.”
Lawal concluded saying that, “political illiteracy is a formidable problem, however it isn’t insurmountable. By the devoted efforts of organizations just like the Electoral School Nigeria, we are able to make vital strides in educating our residents and enhancing our democratic processes. It’s a mission that calls for our collective dedication and motion, for the way forward for our nation is determined by it.”
