Ecowas lawmakers pushed for better voting rules yesterday at their special meeting in Lagos. They believe these changes would strengthen democracy across West Africa. Representatives from The Gambia, Liberia, and Nigeria spoke up during this gathering. They all agreed that countries need clearer voting systems where everyone follows the same rules.
Billy Tunkara from The Gambia serves as the fourth deputy speaker of the Ecowas Parliament. During the session, he discussed how the regional group must ensure that countries actually follow the voting agreements they signed. "This represents the dream of the Ecowas Parliament. We stand for voting reform, smart practices, and responsible leadership," Tunkara explained. He also reminded everyone that country leaders had already promised to uphold fair elections.
Tunkara mentioned these promises exist in official treaties and conventions signed by all member nations. He sees the parliament's job as making sure everyone keeps their word about elections. "Our rules support fair voting, open processes, and legal standards. The advocacy team should keep reminding presidents they agreed to these standards," he added. Many lawmakers nodded as he spoke about holding leaders responsible.
Senator Edwin Snowe from Liberia complained about how some countries receive praise for elections, but others don't. He responded to findings from YIAGA - a Nigerian youth group that studies voting. Their report gave high marks to Ghana and Senegal but left out Liberia. "Liberia created an amazing example. What happened during our elections was remarkable, especially compared with problems next door in Sierra Leone," Snowe argued forcefully.
Snowe admitted every voting system faces challenges, even in powerful countries. "Donald Trump never congratulated Joe Biden after losing the American election. If that represents the world standard, African nations actually perform better," Snowe stated. He encouraged regional leaders to feel proud about democratic progress despite the difficulties they face. The senator criticized several countries for changing their constitutions just to keep leaders in power longer.
Snowe specifically mentioned Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire as places where presidents changed the rules to extend their time in office. Most lawmakers appeared concerned about this growing trend across the region. They promised to keep fighting for fair elections throughout West Africa. The parliament plans additional meetings to develop specific recommendations for member countries.
Billy Tunkara from The Gambia serves as the fourth deputy speaker of the Ecowas Parliament. During the session, he discussed how the regional group must ensure that countries actually follow the voting agreements they signed. "This represents the dream of the Ecowas Parliament. We stand for voting reform, smart practices, and responsible leadership," Tunkara explained. He also reminded everyone that country leaders had already promised to uphold fair elections.
Tunkara mentioned these promises exist in official treaties and conventions signed by all member nations. He sees the parliament's job as making sure everyone keeps their word about elections. "Our rules support fair voting, open processes, and legal standards. The advocacy team should keep reminding presidents they agreed to these standards," he added. Many lawmakers nodded as he spoke about holding leaders responsible.
Senator Edwin Snowe from Liberia complained about how some countries receive praise for elections, but others don't. He responded to findings from YIAGA - a Nigerian youth group that studies voting. Their report gave high marks to Ghana and Senegal but left out Liberia. "Liberia created an amazing example. What happened during our elections was remarkable, especially compared with problems next door in Sierra Leone," Snowe argued forcefully.
Snowe admitted every voting system faces challenges, even in powerful countries. "Donald Trump never congratulated Joe Biden after losing the American election. If that represents the world standard, African nations actually perform better," Snowe stated. He encouraged regional leaders to feel proud about democratic progress despite the difficulties they face. The senator criticized several countries for changing their constitutions just to keep leaders in power longer.
Snowe specifically mentioned Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire as places where presidents changed the rules to extend their time in office. Most lawmakers appeared concerned about this growing trend across the region. They promised to keep fighting for fair elections throughout West Africa. The parliament plans additional meetings to develop specific recommendations for member countries.
