As Lagos State prepares to hold its Local Government elections tomorrow, the Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria, HRJN has called on all stakeholders to ensure a secure and rights-respecting electoral environment for voters, journalists, and election personnel.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director of HRJN, Kehinde Adegboyega, the organization emphasized that the right to vote, freedom of expression, and access to accurate information are fundamental to democratic governance and must be upheld during the polls.
HRJN called on the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), security agencies, political actors, and civil society groups to guarantee the safety of all participants in the electoral process.
“We remind all parties that journalists and independent observers must be allowed to cover the elections freely and without intimidation. Any form of harassment, censorship, or physical assault on media workers is a direct violation of press freedom and democratic norms,” the statement read.
The group expressed concern over repeated incidents of political violence and civic space restrictions during subnational elections and urged the Lagos State Government and security agencies to protect the rights to freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, and personal security.
HRJN also stressed the need for adequate protection of voters and ad-hoc staff, particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities who are often vulnerable to coercion or violence. It called for non-partisan and rights-based security measures, especially in politically volatile areas.
Looking beyond election day, the group urged authorities to address post-election violence and misinformation. “Perpetrators of election-related violence or human rights abuses must be investigated and held accountable, regardless of political affiliation,” it said.
HRJN affirmed its commitment to monitoring the elections and documenting any threats to press freedom, voter rights, or electoral integrity.
The organization encouraged Lagos residents to participate peacefully in the elections, noting that democracy at the local level forms the foundation of national development.