By: Abdulhafeez T. Oyewole
Elections will go and come, just like
governance and governor but government is a continuum. In a democratic setting,
election marks a time to decide who to govern the people for a particular
period of time. This time or tenure varies from one state or country to
another.
To get elected into political offices take
procedures, that which the citizens, politicians, political parties and
election umpire are involved in. That is why in a democratic system of
government, to choose leaders to lead for the stipulated period of time is
everybody’s affair.
Consequently, every candidate must compete
for an electoral seat under the umbrella of a political party, who he or she
holds similar ideas with about politics, and particular ideological or policy
goals. A political party brings people of shared interests together, while
citizens vote for the party of their choice, and by doing so, influence
government policy. Every political party has a uniform ritual that at a
long run brings about the emergence of their candidates for the elections.
Party primaries, caucus meetings, national conventions, campaigns and rallies
are parts of the politicking processes and instruments to employ to ensure
election’s victory for the choice of leaders the citizens want which they make
pronounced on the election day.
For this reason, to ensure election’s
success in a free and fair atmosphere, all hands must be on deck. All political
actors need to be on their toes in ensuring that the elections come and go
without violence. The era of political thugs fomenting troubles should be a
forgotten path for a democracy on its fourth phase and an independence state on
its sixty-second count.
It is incumbent on all, including the
Independence National Electoral Commission, INEC, to continue on its good tempo
in making sure that next elections are conducted on an improved note, with the
introduction of new technology and obeisance to its guidelines and also by
ensuring they are being followed to the latter by all political stakeholders.
Political parties are also advised to
coordinate themselves in good manners and base their campaigns on issues to improve
the lives of the populace and not on personality. Citizens should ask
thought-provoking questions when the political office seekers come to canvas
for their votes. They should not hold back enquiry on every germane question
that will ensure the dividends of democracy are attained. They should not wield
the voting power they have with their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) on pettiness
and fake promises. It is high time the media maintain objectivity, impartiality
and balance in their reportage, coverage and airtime spot. Nation building is
everyone’s business!