'Establish political party monitoring agency to curtail violations of electoral guidelines' – Forum

<h2>The Electoral Forum on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 stressed the need to set up a political party monitoring agency, if the trend of parties’ violation of electoral guidelines and ideals of electoral conduct persisted.</h2>, <p>The chairman of the forum stated that the role of political parties in the democratic process, and the credibility and quality of elections had been a recurrent issue of concern for the Forum.</p>, <span>The Chair of the Forum, Prof. Adebayo Olukoshi</span>, <p>Members of the forum suggested this during The Electoral Forum 11th Technical Session Public virtual meeting. The Chair of the Forum, Prof. Adebayo Olukoshi, said the meeting focused on understanding the impact of political parties on the quality of elections in Nigeria.</p>, <p>Olukoshi said that the role of political parties in the democratic process, and the credibility and quality of elections had been a recurrent issue of concern for the Forum.</p>, <p>He outlined the objectives of the technical session to include examining the role, significance and performance of political parties in Nigeria as critical institutions for electoral credibility and democratic advancement.</p>, <p>The forum therefore, recommended some actions for improving political parties and ensuring that they contributed to credible elections.</p>, <p>“These recommendations suggested that INEC’s political party deparment should be strengthened including professional training for staff.</p>, <p>“That parties should be strengthened to ensure their survival after elections.</p>, <p>“Presently, we have nine parties with elected representatives at the National and State Assemblies, a diversity which might be lost if parties are not strengthened.</p>, <p>“The INEC Department on Election and Party Monitoring should be reorganised and reinforced to focus strictly on political parties matters – registration, regulations, monitoring etc; also, campaign finance monitoring should be given more visibility.</p>, <p>Olukoshi said there should be much greater attention to ways