The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) has called upon all political parties to uphold the highest standards of democracy and integrity as they conduct their primary elections.
According to a statement made available to us, NICE executive director Gray Kalindakafe emphasized the importance of ensuring that these elections are free, fair, transparent, accessible and inclusive.
“All political parties must ensure that their primary elections are conducted without bias or favouritism. Every candidate should have an equal opportunity to campaign and present themselves through appropriate platforms to the electorate.
“The processes and results of the primary elections must be transparent. This includes clear communication of the electoral college and venues to all voters and contestants. Transparency is crucial to build trust and credibility in the electoral process.
“Elections should be accessible to all eligible voters, including those with disabilities and those in remote areas. Inclusivity ensures that every voice is heard and appropriately represented.
“Internal Party Mechanisms: Political parties must establish robust internal mechanisms to prevent any form of violence, manipulation of the process, and results, This includes setting up independent oversight mechanisms through bodies within or from outside the party to monitor the election process. We urge all parties to promote peace during the election process. Political leaders and candidates should refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and actions that could incite division, violence or unrest,” reads part of the statement
Further, Kalindakafe said all candidates should be given equal opportunities to campaign, Party leadership must ensure that no candidate is given undue advantage over others because favoritism undermines the democratic process and can lead to divisions within the party.
“Party leadership should avoid imposing candidates on their followers. Such actions are counterproductive and often lead to the emergence of independent candidates, causing divisions within the party and weakening its overall electoral strength.
“Political parties should implement deliberate policies and mechanisms to create a favorable environment for more women, youth, and persons with disabilities to contest and win as candidates. This aligns with the principles of affirmative action as outlined in various national and international laws and policies, such as the Gender Equality Act and the Disability Act. These laws mandate the inclusion and representation of marginalized groups in political processes,” he said
For example, he said some affirmative action policies are gender quotas, reserved seats, training and mentorship programs, financial support and flexible campaign rules.
“Many political parties around the world have adopted gender quotas to ensure a minimum percentage of women and youth candidates, as well as those with disabilities. For instance, the French Socialist Party requires that 50% of its candidates for elections be women.
“Some countries have reserved seats for women in their parliaments. For example, Rwanda reserves 30% of parliamentary seats for women, which has significantly increased female representation. Political parties can establish training and mentorship programs specifically for women and young candidates. These programs provide the necessary skills and support to help women and youth to succeed in elections.
“Providing financial support to women and young candidates can help level the playing field. This can include funding for selected pivotal campaign activities, which is often a significant barrier for women and young people as well as persons with disabilities. Adjusting campaigning rules to accommodate women, the youth and persons with disabilities, especially those with family responsibilities, can encourage more marginalized groups to participate in politics,” he said
