International Day of Democracy: Electoral Hub Demands Inclusive Governance, Protection of Human Rights

By Chimezie Godfrey

The Director of The Electoral Hub, Princess Abijah Hamman-Obels, has called for a more inclusive and responsive democratic system in Nigeria, stressing that democracy must go beyond elections to guarantee citizens’ participation, protect human rights and ensure accountability in governance.

Hamman-Obels made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Democracy, in which she urged governments, lawmakers, political parties, civil society organisations, the media and citizens to play their respective roles in strengthening democratic governance.

She said the annual observance, marked on September 15, offers an opportunity to reflect on the state of democracy and renew commitments to deepening democratic governance, noting that the occasion also provides an opportunity to confront barriers that prevent many citizens from participating fully and equally in public life.

According to her, “democracy is more than choosing leaders; it is about ensuring every voice counts, every right is protected, and every citizen has a meaningful place in governance.”

Hamman-Obels, who spoke on behalf of the Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) and The Electoral Hub, said the organisations were reaffirming their commitment to strengthening democratic governance and resilience through participation, human rights, gender equity, inclusion, accountability, transparency, responsive governance and effective and ethical public institutions.

She noted that the 2026 commemoration marks 18 years since the International Day of Democracy was first observed in 2008, adding that this year’s observance should not only be about celebrating democratic progress but also addressing persistent obstacles to equal participation.

Hamman-Obels said the United Nations’ 2026 focus, “When Every Voice Counts, Democracy Delivers,” places citizens at the centre of democracy by emphasising the need for people to be heard, access information, influence decisions, engage public institutions and hold those in power accountable.

She also noted that the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s 2026 theme, “Bring Human Rights into Focus,” highlights the importance of human rights in sustaining democratic societies and the responsibility of parliaments and other arms of government to protect rights, freedoms and civic participation.

“Together, these themes reinforce a fundamental truth: democracy cannot be meaningful without participation, and participation cannot be meaningful without rights,” she said.

The Electoral Hub Director stressed that democracy must not be reduced to elections, arguing that credible, inclusive, peaceful and transparent elections, though fundamental, must be complemented by effective lawmaking, transparent budgeting, public consultations, oversight, civic engagement, access to information and effective public service delivery between election periods.

She said citizens should have opportunities to engage their representatives, contribute to public decisions, influence policies and priorities and hold institutions accountable.

“Democratic participation must therefore be continuous, meaningful, and capable of influencing outcomes,” she said.

Hamman-Obels said the strength of democracy was also reflected in how citizens experienced governance, insisting that public institutions must be responsive to people’s needs, transparent in their decisions, accessible without discrimination and accountable for their actions.

She said when citizens could access information, raise concerns, engage decision-makers and see their participation reflected in government outcomes, public trust in democratic institutions would be strengthened.

She, however, warned that exclusion, poor service delivery, limited access to information and weak accountability could deepen public distrust and weaken democratic institutions.

On human rights, Hamman-Obels said freedom of expression, access to information, freedom of association and peaceful assembly, equity, non-discrimination and the protection of civic space remained critical to meaningful democratic participation.

She said where citizens could not speak freely, organise, access information or challenge decisions, democracy was weakened.

“Protecting human rights must therefore remain central to strengthening democratic institutions,” she said.

The Director also drew attention to the challenges faced by women, girls, young people, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups, saying citizens did not experience democracy equally.

She called for measures to address social, economic, political and institutional barriers that limit the participation and influence of these groups in public affairs.

Hamman-Obels said women must be regarded not merely as voters, campaign mobilisers or beneficiaries during elections but as leaders, decision-makers, policymakers and equal participants in political and public institutions.

She said achieving gender equity required confronting structural barriers limiting women’s access to leadership, resources, information, justice and decision-making spaces.

“Representation must translate into influence, and inclusion must create meaningful opportunities for women to shape the decisions that affect their lives and communities,” she said.

She similarly called for young people to be recognised as democratic actors and partners in governance rather than being engaged only during election campaigns.

Hamman-Obels said persons with disabilities must be able to participate in political and public life without physical, technological, informational, financial or institutional barriers, while marginalised communities should have opportunities to influence decisions affecting them.

She said inclusion must move beyond symbolism to ensure equitable participation, representation and influence.

The Electoral Hub Director urged citizens to participate actively in democratic governance by voting, seeking information, asking questions, engaging their representatives, joining civic initiatives, participating in community decisions and demanding accountability beyond election day.

She also called on governments to create meaningful platforms for citizen participation, protect civic space and fundamental rights, and strengthen public institutions to ensure policies and services respond to citizens’ needs.

On the role of lawmakers, Hamman-Obels urged parliaments and legislators to strengthen laws protecting human rights, exercise effective oversight, defend democratic freedoms and create legislative spaces where citizens’ voices could be heard.

She specifically called for the passage of the Special Seats for Women Bill, stressing that human rights must not remain promises on paper but must be protected in practice.

Hamman-Obels also urged political parties to open their structures to women, young people, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups, while promoting transparent and inclusive internal processes.

She charged civil society organisations to continue amplifying marginalised voices, promoting civic education, monitoring public institutions, defending human rights and creating platforms for constructive citizen engagement.

She further tasked the media and digital platforms with protecting the public’s right to know through accurate, independent, responsible and inclusive information, while challenging misinformation and disinformation capable of undermining democratic participation and public trust.

The Director urged women and young people not to accept exclusion from decision-making spaces, stressing that their voices belonged in community leadership, political parties, parliaments, public institutions, policymaking and governance.

She said IRIAD and The Electoral Hub were calling for a democracy in which every citizen could participate meaningfully, women and girls had equitable opportunities to lead and influence decisions, young people were recognised as democratic actors, persons with disabilities and marginalised groups could participate without discrimination, and public institutions delivered transparent, responsive and accountable governance.

Hamman-Obels said democracy should be measured not only by how leaders were elected but also by whether citizens could influence decisions, exercise their rights, access essential services and participate equitably in shaping their communities and country.

“Gender equity, inclusion, human rights, accountability, and responsive governance are not separate from democracy; they are fundamental to making democracy work,” she said.

She called on Nigerians to use the 2026 International Day of Democracy to renew their commitment to a democratic system that listens to citizens, protects rights, values every voice and delivers inclusive, equitable, transparent and accountable governance.

“When every voice counts, democracy delivers. Bring Human Rights into Focus,” Hamman-Obels said.

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