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The International Republican Institute (IRI) has worked to strengthen the political process in Nigeria since 1998. This process includes monitoring the electoral process, enhancing the capacity of political parties and encouraging greater participation of women and youth, as well as forging stronger ties and developing collaborative efforts between political parties and civil society organizations.
The four central objectives of IRI’s work are: supporting political parties’ contribution to promote electoral reform; increase cooperation between the Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) and political parties; expand the participation of women and youth in the political process and reform phase; and examine and enhance the role of the media throughout the review process.
With more than 12 million people living with disabilities, IRI’s work also focuses on supporting advocacy groups as they develop issue-based campaigns.
Supporting Political Parties’ Role in Electoral Reform
Nigeria’s political parties are a key stakeholder in the country’s electoral reform process. As such, IRI supports the efforts of parties to make a positive contribution to the electoral reform process. Through a series of forums, parties evaluate their role in shaping the quality and the credibility of the electoral process by examining relevant provisions. Part of this strategy includes encouraging women, youth and civil society organizations to participate in the electoral reform process.
Increase Cooperation between ERC and Political Parties
IRI recognizes that strong grassroots parties that are engaged between elections are fundamental to advancing multi-party democracy in Nigeria. In order to strengthen political parties and enhance the electoral reform process, IRI has constructed an innovative series of workshops known as the Grassroots Party Leaders Forums. These forums are being conducted in select states across Nigeria to advocate for common concerns throughout the process.
During the forums, IRI is also facilitating a series of dialogues between the electoral reform panel, political parties and other local stakeholders. The objective is to inform local leaders of key issues so that they can effectively engage the Grassroots Party Leaders Forums.
Promoting the Participation of Women and Youth in the Democratic Process
In addition to working with political parties and civil society groups, IRI also has a dynamic women and youth program, which encourages their participation and representation in the electoral reform process and in democracy development in Nigeria.
IRI hosts youth retreats bringing together national and state party leaders, representatives of youth-based civil society organizations, the youth wing of faith-based organizations, and student union leaders in the universities for two main purposes: to educate them about the ongoing electoral reform process, and to review youth participation in the 2007 elections.
IRI is also conducting workshops at the national level to discuss women’s participation in the electoral process. These workshops identify and call for a legal framework for promoting women’s political participation; develop advocacy strategies to address the weaknesses in party, executive and legislative commitment to women’s participation; and sensitize the electoral reform panel on these critical issues.
The Role of the Media in the Electoral Reform Process
The role of mass media is essential to the political and electoral process in any country. It is important that the Nigerian media play a positive role during this process. IRI programming in this area organizes training workshops to build the capacity of mid-career journalists and political reporters to effectively and accurately report the major issues at stake during the electoral reform process.
The overall objectives are to help media better contribute to public discourse on electoral reform, help educate the citizenry on the process, and improve the technical competence of participants in reporting on the issues.
Expanding Participation and Advocacy for People with Disabilities
To support the development of more effective advocacy on disabilities issues, IRI is implementing a pilot program in the six regions to work with national leaders who are disabled and disability advocates.
Building on the United Nation Standard’s Rule on Equalization of Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities, IRI is assisting advocates for disability issues at the district level to develop monitoring and advocacy tools to ensure better service for the disabled at the local level.
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