By Raphael Ekpang
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday launched the ‘Human Rights Situation Room’ ahead of the Saturday, February 25, Presidential and parliamentary elections.
The NHRC gave out toll-free number of 08006472428 and short code 6472 with which the general public can report cases of Human Rights abuses, including obstruction of access to vote centres and be voted for as well as gender based violence among other infractions.
Addressing the media, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu (SAN) said the situation room will help them monitor all human rights related cases before, during and after the elections.
The NHRC scribe said by launching the Situation Room, the Commission is set to take advantage of its wide reach in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory to monitor the 2023 general elections from the presidential down to the state assembly
According to him, Free and Fair Elections are key tenets of a democratic system of governance. The right to participate in the governance process including the right to vote and to stand for elections is central to a democracy.
He added, the fulfilment and enjoyment of human rights are critical cannons of a properly functioning democratic system as a thriving democracy provides an enabling environment for human rights to thrive.
“Human Rights Situation room will be a hub inside the Commission where the Commission plans to take advantage of its wide reach by having offices in the 36 states of Nigeria to monitor the conduct of elections immediately before, during and after the elections. In doing this, the Commission is acting in line with its mandate as stated in Sections (a)(b)(j) of the NHRC Act of 2010 as amended.
“The focus of the Situation Room will be primarily targeted in reports of the human rights issues that will be at play during the election.
“We are putting everything in place to ensure that Nigerians can have confidence that when they call these toll-free lines, their complaints will not go unheard. On our part, the National Human Rights Commission will not spare any efforts in addressing the issues raised by voters all over the Country. “We encourage Nigerians to confidently go out and exercise their fundamental right to vote. Ours is a participatory democracy and Nigerians should participate and take an active role in deciding their future. I want to wish you all a safe, free and peaceful elections,” he said.
