Elections Essential For Democracy Globally, Says U.S. Ambassador

24 whole views at the moment

By Mark Longyen

The United States’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, says elections are important instruments for upholding democratic values globally, stressing that elections mirror the need of the folks.

The envoy made this recognized whereas talking at a roundtable organised by the embassy to mark the U.S. basic elections in Abuja.

Mills famous that the U.S. and Nigeria each practise democracy which have a lot in widespread however stated democracy was imperfect because the electoral course of might typically be imperfect.

“In each the U.S. and Nigeria, I actually suppose elections are a important instrument for upholding democratic values and making certain governance that displays the need of the folks that’s accountable.

“I feel most of within the United States we have now a federal system, similar to what you will have in Nigeria.

“We have multiple levels of government, federal, state, local, checks and balances to help ensure the integrity and fairness of our elections,” he stated.

The envoy stated that though democracies might typically be complicated, they may adapt to fulfill the wants of a really various society and keep true to the rules of equity and inclusivity.

“I feel our federal system was checked out very carefully when Nigerians have been placing their final structure collectively.

“And for higher or worse, I feel I’m usually requested by Nigerians, why do you will have that electoral faculty system? And they are saying, properly you guys have one thing type of near it.

“You have that requirement about two-thirds of the states, which is sort of similar to the electoral college. It has the same principles,” he stated.

The ambassador stated the U.S. electoral faculty system was arrange at independence to make sure that the bigger states of the 13 states on the time wouldn’t dominate the nation.

He stated that it was for this identical purpose {that a} Nigerian politician, who’s operating for an elective political place, wanted to have some nationwide broad-based enchantment, not simply to sure key states.

According to him, elections are on the coronary heart of how democracy works and have outlined the U.S. for nearly 250 years.

He stated that each one Americans agreed that elections have been the easiest way for residents to form their authorities, voice their visions, their aspirations, and most significantly, maintain their leaders accountable.

“Now perhaps 250 years later, the electoral faculty doesn’t make sense anymore in an enormous nation the place there’s numerous media and other people can speak and other people transfer within the United States, nevertheless it’s nonetheless the system we have now.

“Americans can go to the polls and the favored vote winner doesn’t win the electoral faculty and turns into president. It’s occurred a few occasions in my lifetime.

“So, I also want to say, I think one of the key parts of being an American on a day like today is that we recognise that democracy is imperfect. Our electoral process can be imperfect sometimes,” he stated.

The ambassador underscored the important position that Nigerian residents, just like the civil society and journalists, might play in advancing democratic rules and values by means of coverage advocacy, training, for democracy to thrive within the nation.

“Civil society organisations, energetic citizen leaders, actually are important to how we guarantee elections work, and it’s not nearly casting ballots on Election Day.

“It’s concerning the broader work that’s carried out earlier than Election Day and after Election Day. To current agendas to your leaders to say, right here’s what girls care about, and we wish to see you do these 5 issues.

“So, your role in championing these values and working at the community level is crucial, because no one else can do that except the folks in this room and Nigerians themselves,” he emphasised.

“I wish to simply reaffirm that the U.S. mission is devoted to working with all of you to assist the pillars of excellent governance, accountability, transparency, and the rule of legislation.

“Let us continue to support one another in the shared vision that we have of democracy and work together to strengthen the bonds between Nigeria and the United States,” the envoy added.

Dr Carolyn Jenkins, an American activist, talking through zoom from the U.S, stated that reaching the precise to vote within the nation was the end result of a few years of battles.

Jenkins famous that the U.S. was nonetheless going through some challenges, reminiscent of political polarisation, financial inequality, politicisation of the judiciary, failure of accountability and erosion of confidence in its establishments.

According to her, the 2024 elections in any respect ranges, native, state, and nationwide, provide contrasting visions for the United States.

“The consequence of this election will inform us about who we’re as a nation at the moment and who we wish to be as a nation for the subsequent technology.

“This will probably be an historic election nevertheless you select to outline it as a result of it has induced extra folks to develop into knowledgeable concerning the course of, extra folks to be engaged within the course of.

“On Jan. 20, we will have a new president. So, while people ponder who the winner will be, I say the winner will be democracy,” she added. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza