The foremost independent civil society election observation organization in Nigeria, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) TMG has vowed ensure strict monitoring of election management bodies in Nigeria in order to secure the highest standards in the administration of elections.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, TMG Chairman, Comrade Musa Auwal Rafsanjani, lamented that the Nigeria electoral systems was fast becoming a tool in the hands of any ruling government.
According to him, “Nigerians are increasingly losing confidence in our electoral system which is full of forms of malpractice, manipulation, violence, commercialization and privatization of political parties and political offices for self-centred interests.”
“TMG has also observed wild misconduct of security personnel. Our focus therefore is to monitor and report to appropriate quarters, incidences of electoral violence.”
In this lieu, the Chairman has rolled out certain actions that may aid their drive which include; observation of Election Litigations/ Tribunals in Nigeria, Continuous Voters’ Registration, Advocacy to Reform and Institutionalize Internal Democracy in Nigeria’s Political Parties, Engage in Massive Voters’ Education.
Mr Rafsanjani also disclosed that the new leadership will resuscitate the TMG Newsletter, ‘Democracy Watch’ to maintain constant communication with the members on the activities of the group.
“The new TMG seeks to secure the highest standard in election practices. We are bent on embarking on extensive voters’ education.
“The Board will lead TMG strategically to redefine its purpose, goals, and competitive position to enable it to identify where and how it can best and most effectively contribute to the development of democracy in Nigeria.
“We seek to ensure that good governance is entrenched in Nigeria. We will no longer limit our effort to election but also focus on how democracy is delivered.”
Meanwhile, other members of the group present during the press briefing included TMG’s Vice Chairman, Comrade Mirian Menkiti, and other members of the executive.
The Transition Monitoring Group (TNG) was established as a non-profit organization in 1998.
