2023: CISLAC Trains Youths As Electiom Conflict Trackers in Borno
By ’Yemi Aruna
A Selection of 15 youth in Borno state have recently been trained by CISLAC to function as crisis trackers ahead of the 2023 general elections in the state.
CISLAC has also trained and secured INEC accreditation as election observers for yet another 30 young minds in the state.
The NGO said it worked in collaboration with Jama’atu Nasirul Islam (JNI) in Borno state to facilitate the training ahead of the coming polls.
CISLAC said it has alao set up an election situation room for coordination of the reports collated from the field “before, during and after the polls.
CISLAC’s Senior programme manager, Solomon Adoga, disclosed this information to journalists during a post training briefing in Maiduguri.
Mr Adoga, who represents CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, stressed the importance of peace in the general conduct of a free, fair, credible, and participatory election.
“It is the assurance of peaceful conduct of elections that guarantee the participation of citizens, especially women, the elderly, and people living with disabilities,” he said.
In places where insecurity has prevailed, the need to guarantee citizens of a peaceful election becomes even more imperative.
“It is in line with this that we commended profoundly the various efforts championed by our partners Jamá’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) at the local government level that has brought about the signing of the electoral peace accord in some local governments of the state.
“It is expected that Borno State would initiate the process which brings together the political gladiators and the political parties beyond the local government level commitments to agree to a pact which binds them to uphold the peaceful conduct of the election throughout the electioneering period.
The CISLAC official warned that there are high tendencies for political campaigns and other electioneering activities to stoke up violence are usually very high in democracies like ours.
Mr Rafsanjani recalled how the National Peace saved the situation in 2015 general election when the political climate was at a burning degree.”
“The aftermath of that election brought about one of the most historic democratic power transitions in Africa.
“Since then, the process has continued to be improved upon, with the political parties now brought into the frame, while states are also adopting same measure at that level.
“While we again note that stakeholders in Borno have been working and have completed the process of some LGAs, we are by this brief requesting for a state-wide peace accord on the 2023 elections should be entered into in the state.
“We urge the state to emulate the National Peace Accord, as well as the various peace agreements as has been entered into by several states of the country.”
The European Union through the EU-SDGN2 project and our consortium partners which include Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) and SOS Children’s Villages as well as our partners in Borno State, are all desirous of a peaceful conclusion of the 2023 elections in Borno state and pledge our commitment to support the process.
