Abuja, Nigeria – September 9, 2024 – The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has published its Citizens’ Perception Survey regarding the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo States. This survey, part of CJID’s Media in National Election (MiNE) project, sought to understand public perceptions of electoral institutions and gauge citizen readiness to participate in these crucial off-cycle elections, scheduled for September 21 and November 16, 2024, respectively.
Elections are fundamental to democracy, providing a platform for peaceful power transitions and citizen engagement. However, following recent general elections marked by voter apathy and contentious court rulings on election petitions, there is a critical need to assess how these factors affect the upcoming gubernatorial races.
The survey highlights a troubling trend of distrust towards electoral processes and institutions. Only 36% of respondents expressed confidence in the elections being conducted fairly and credibly. Similarly, 36% expressed scepticism about the judiciary’s impartiality in resolving election disputes. This significant trust deficit poses a risk to voter turnout and overall engagement.
Despite a substantial number of registered voters participating in the survey, only 25% were active members of political parties. Many respondents also questioned the ability of political parties to represent their interests genuinely. Media coverage of the elections was deemed fair by 57% of respondents, though many felt it was biased or indifferent. Social media was identified as the primary source of election information for 50% of respondents, underscoring the challenges of addressing misinformation and disinformation.
To address these issues, CJID’s report proposes several key recommendations:
- Continuous Civic and Voter Education: Integrate voter education into school curricula and conduct targeted outreach to women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
- Electoral Reforms and Technology Integration: Advocate for appropriate election technologies and reforms to streamline the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s roles.
- Improving Internal Democracy of Political Parties: Enhance transparency and fairness in party processes to restore public confidence.
- Enhancing Media’s Role in Elections: Encourage media organisations to tackle information disorders and adopt a people-centred approach to election reporting.
- Reforming Election Dispute Resolution: Implement Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms and streamline the election petition process.
CJID calls on all stakeholders—electoral institutions, political parties, media, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the judiciary—to collaborate in creating a more inclusive and transparent electoral environment. CSOs, in particular, are crucial in advocating for these reforms, engaging stakeholders, and fostering dialogue to build consensus on necessary changes.
Through continued advocacy and collaboration with stakeholders and CSOs, CJID aims to enhance citizen participation and underscore the importance of voting in shaping policies and laws that impact daily life. A copy of the report can be found here.
About CJID
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) is an African media innovation and development think-tank founded in 2014. The Centre has been a leader in investigative journalism, innovation, open data, verification, promotion of the welfare and safety of journalists, elections, and the freedom of information and expression. In 2020, the CJID expanded its footprint beyond Nigeria and moved into specific niches in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia. This expansion has extended to parts of Central and Francophone Africa, including Cameroon, Chad, Senegal, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Signed:
Akintunde Babatunde
Director of Programmes, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development