By Edith Nwapi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday inaugurated a situation room to monitor human rights compliance in the general elections on Saturday and March 11.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, said that free and fair elections were key tenets of a democratic system of governance.
He added that the lines were open 24 hours from now until March 1 and 10 to 16.
He noted that the right to participate in the governance process, including the right to vote and to stand for elections was central to democracy.
He also signed guidelines on the role of the law enforcement and security agencies in the protection of voters access and participation at elections.
“Since 1999 when Nigeria began its current democratic voyage, the NHRC has been playing a fundamental role in advancing Nigeria’s democracy, through the development of programmes.
“These programmes are aimed at integrating human rights into the electoral process and supporting democratic institutions and election management bodies to deliver on their mandates.
“The commission’s role in this regard is founded on the recognition of the importance of the consolidation of democracy in the realisation of all human rights in Nigeria,” he said.
Ojukwu said the fulfilment and enjoyment of human rights were critical cannons of a properly functioning democratic system.
He added that a thriving democracy provided an enabling environment for human rights to thrive.
“It is on this foundational premise that the NHRC launched its Election 2023 project called Mobilising Voters for Elections (MOVE).
“The project was officially launched on Oct. 17, 2022 with the aim of integrating human rights principles in the electoral process, to ensure access, participation and accountability in the 2023 elections.
“As the name suggests, 2023 general elections, Human Rights Situation Room will be a hub inside the Commission where the commission plans to take advantage of its wide reach by having offices in the 36 states of Nigeria to monitor the conduct of the elections before, during and after the elections,” he said.
According to the executive secretary, the focus of the Situation Room will be primarily targeted in reports of the human rights issues that will be at play during the election.
“For example, we will be monitoring closely the activities of law enforcement and security agencies during the elections.
“Law enforcement agencies have a primary responsibility to protect the security of voters when they cast their votes but it is also their responsibility to help protect voter access and participation.
“The role of our security and law enforcement agencies in protecting voters access and ensuring full participation of citizens in election can never be over emphasized.
“Ours is a young democracy and the 2023 elections are coming at a time of immense national challenges in terms of security, economy and social cohesion,” he said.
He further noted that the Human Rights Situation Room would also receive and treat from across the 36 states and the FCT, complaints of human rights violations.
He added that the situation room was equipped with toll free lines and short codes for easy and cost-free access of complaints by members of the public.
“The NHRC is putting everything in place to ensure that Nigerians can have confidence that when they call these toll-free lines, their complaints will not go unheard.
“On our part, the National Human Rights Commission will not spare any efforts in addressing the issues raised by voters all over the country.
“We encourage Nigerians to confidently go out and exercise their fundamental right to vote.
“Ours is a participatory democracy and Nigerians should participate and take an active role in deciding their future.
“I want to wish you all a safe, free and peaceful elections,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the toll free line is 08006472428, with short code 6472.
