Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is making moves to prevent manipulation of elections, in West Africa, with particular reference to Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
The above-mentioned countries are billed to hold presidential, provincial and parliamentary elections in 2023.
The Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Dr. Sidie Mohammed Tunis gave the hint at the ongoing, First Extra Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, in Guinea Bissau.
He also revealed that the Parliament is working with the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Governments, as well the coup leaders, in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso to return the countries back to democratic governance.
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He said: “In conformity with the established framework for election observation, we are working very closely with the ECOWAS Commission to ensure the careful implementation of the provisions of Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, relative to the holding of elections”.
He further noted that the Community Parliament Observers will be available to provide the necessary support to the Joint ECOWAS Mission, in anticipation of a free, fair and transparent elections in the various countries.
He said: “As you are aware, this year has been tagged “Elections Year,” in the region. In a matter of weeks, our biggest democracy, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be holding Presidential and Legislative elections. In a few months, the Republics of Sierra Leone and Liberia will do same. These have been preceded by Legislative elections in the Republic of Benin. Moreover, we continue to work with authorities in Mali, Guinea, and
Burkina Faso in view of the decisions reached at the 62nd Ordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Governments”.
He nevertheless, said that most of its activities in 2022 were executed during the last quarter of the year, which placed a strain on MPs and rendered them
susceptible to a lot of constraints, especially owing to their national
obligations.
To that end, he noted that the Parliament intends to break away from the past and execute many of its activities within the 1st and 2nd quarter of the year.
‘It would require a huge investment of our time and energy to carry out our duties as honorably as we have always done. Furthermore, the supplementary Act provides that we ensure the right scrutiny and involvement of the West African population in the process of integration of the region,” he concluded.
