THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE NIGERIAN ELECTORAL PROCESS: A LEGAL APPRAISAL

Abstract

Civil Society Organizations serve as internal correctional mechanism to check-mate the electoral process in order to avoid electoral malpractices. They play prominent role in ensuring the credibility of elections in Nigeria through vigorous voter education using both the traditional and social media for their campaigns. The aim and objectives of this work is to bring out the role of the Civil Society Organization before, during and after the electoral process in Nigeria. In order to achieve this, this work will look at the concept of Civil Society Organizations, meaning of electoral process, legal framework regulating the activities of Civil Society Organizations both the local and international instruments, the role of Civil Society Organizations prior to election, which includes playing a major role in advancing the right of group of persons to be registered as a political party, voter education and awareness, sensitization of stakeholders in the electoral process and soon. The role of Civil Society Organization during election includes monitoring, supervising and observing the electoral process. More so, the role of Civil Society Organizations in post-election which includes writing of electoral reports, agitation for prosecution of electoral offenders. This work will also look at the challenges facing the Civil Society Organizations ranging from lack of funding, lack of unity, lack of support and partnership, corruption, the provision s. 389of CAMA 2020 that make it possible for government to change its trustees and so on. These writers further concluded by making some recommendations like need for public support, repeal of s. 389 of CAMA 2020, automatic application of freedom of information Act by various states of the federation and unity among the civil society organizations.