Five Protests that Shaped Civil Resistance in 2020
Farida Adamu
Civil resistance became the most prominent theme across countries globally as lockdown restrictions were being relaxed. However, protests held in countries like Israel even in the heat of lockdowns. More than ever, young people around the world are calling for an end to old and discriminatory systems, and the end of the one-man rule. Here are some peculiar protests […]
Nigeria Makes Progress On Pending Electoral Act
Conrad Omodiagbe
Ahead of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the country’s National Assembly has revealed plans to make electronic voting and Smart Card Readers mandatory at the polls, alongside a new amendment to petition submissions. The decision on electoral voting was made by the Upper Chambers of the house at a Joint Public Hearing on “The […]
This President Still Wants To Be In Office After 36 Years
Conrad Omodiagbe
The President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso will seek a fourth term in office in the country’s March 2021 polls, despite holding on to power for 36 years. The announcement was made by the country’s ruling coalition containing 17 political parties. Pierre Moussa, who serves as the acting chairman of the coalition […]
Arab Woman Set To Run For Israel Presidency
Conrad Omodiagbe
For the first time in the history of Israel, an Arab woman, Alham Kazan, has announced her intention to run for the role of president in the country. If she wins, Khazen would be the country’s first non-Jewish president, as she would replace current President Reuven Rivlin whose term ends in July 2020. Alham Khazen […]
US: Biden declared Winner again
Conrad Omodiagbe
US Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, has officially clinched victory once again after the Electoral College confirmed his win at the November 3rd Presidential Polls. This announcement caps a tumultuous election period caused by incumbent President Donald Trump’s refusal to acknowledge his loss at the same poll. Addressing his supporters and the country following the announcement, […]
Prominent Nigerian Politician Calls For Reforms
Conrad Omodiagbe
Former Nigerian Vice President and six-time presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, has commended Ghana on its recent presidential elections, asking Nigerians to learn from the “smooth conduct” of the polls. The former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate shared his opinion on the just-concluded polls while congratulating the winner of the election, Nana Akufo-Addo in a […]
Ghanaian President secures Second Term
Conrad Omodiagbe
The Ghanaian incumbent president, Nana Akufo-Addo, has been declared the winner of the recently concluded presidential election in the West African state, securing four more years in office. In an announcement made by the country’s election commission, Akufo-Addo received 6.73 million votes or 51.6% of valid ballots, while his biggest political rival John Mahama, of […]
Issues to Consider Ahead of CAR Elections
Farida Adamu
General elections are scheduled to hold in the Central African Republic (CAR) on the 27th of December 2020. Ahead of the polls, a tense political climate persists in the African country. Armed groups still control much of the country despite a peace agreement signed between the two main rebel groups, the Popular Front for the Rebirth of Central African […]
Indonesia Heads To The Polls Despite COVID-19
Conrad Omodiagbe
Indonesia has pushed forward with its previously postponed regional elections on Wednesday with voters taking to the polls in an election that has been criticized as a result of rising coronavirus numbers. Over 100 million people eligible to vote in the elections will get to choose nine governors, 37 mayors and 224 district chiefs across […]
Ghana Elections: What We Know
Farida Adamu
In a year where violence was the prominent theme in many African elections, the Presidential elections in Ghana shaped up to become a model election for countries in Africa and across the globe. Described by the Financial Times as Africa’s “Dullest Election,” electioneering and voting activities in Ghana were violence-free and widely described as a free, fair […]
Nigeria Plans To Limit Campaign Spending
Conrad Omodiagbe
In preparation for the 2023 general elections, the House of Representatives in Nigeria has passed for a second reading, the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2020. The Bill seeks to among many things; reduce the excessive campaign expenses incurred by politicians during elections. The legislation entitled, “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Electoral Act […]
Kuwait: Voters Elect An All-Male Parliament
Farida Adamu
Elections to the parliament of Kuwait held on the 5th December 2020, in which Kuwaiti voters elected 50 members of the National Assembly from five constituencies (each constituency is assigned 10 seats). Over half of the incumbents in parliament members lost their seats to the opposition, including the sole female lawmaker. The change in the […]
Uganda: Violence Forces Campaign Suspension
Conrad Omodiagbe
A singer and presidential hopeful in Uganda, Robert Kyagulyanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has suspended his campaign following clashes between security personnel and his supporters. The announcement comes as violence continues to escalate in the country. Authorities have been accused of cracking down on supporters of the young presidential candidate, with members of his campaign […]
Nigeria Arrests People For Election Fraud
Conrad Omodiagbe
In the aftermath of the 2019 general elections, a court in Nigeria has called for the arrest of two professors over allegations that include election fraud and vote tampering. Professor Accused Of Altering Election Results The first of two cases, the High Court in Ikot-Ikpene in Akwa Ibom State, southern Nigeria, arraigned Professor Peter Ogban, […]
CAR Court Rejects Ex President’s Candidacy
Conrad Omodiagbe
The top court in the Central African Republic (CAR) has rejected the candidacy of former President Francois Bozize ahead of the country’s December 27 presidential polls, ending his chance of securing re-election. Bozize had been scheduled to run against President Archange Toudera in the election that is scheduled to hold despite widespread security concerns. Handing down its […]
Democracy Watch: Protesting in Hong Kong
Farida Adamu
Three pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have been arrested and sentenced to prison over protests that started in Hong Kong last year. Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam have been served 13.5 months, 10 months and 7 months in prison, respectively, “for inciting, organising or participating in an unlawful assembly at Hong Kong police headquarters.” For Mr Wong who has served […]
Is Electronic Voting a Security Nightmare?
Farida Adamu
In April, we looked at the steps INEC was taking to make manual voting a thing of the past, how voting is done and what Nigeria can gain from having an e-voting system. The popular perception about biometric voting and other forms of electronic voting are those of confidence in the ability of technology to […]
Ghana 2020: What We Know
Conrad Omodiagbe
As Ghana prepares for decisive general elections set for December 7th, the stakes are at an all-time high. While the country’s elections umpire has reiterated its commitment to free and fair elections, a presidential candidate attempts to clear the air with regards to doubts surrounding her candidacy. We Are Ready To Conduct Credible General Elections […]
Somali Opposition Threaten Parallel Elections
Farida Adamu
The Union of Somali Presidential Candidates recently issued an 18-point communiqué demanding the dismissal of the electoral committees (including the National Electoral Committee (NEC) and the Electoral Dispute Committee (EDC), as they have members of the armed forces. The communique also called for the head of Somalia’s Intelligence Agency (NISA) Fahad Yassin to step down to achieve neutrality as Mr Yassin […]