Increased Participation of Internally Displaced Persons in the Electoral Processes.

During the 2019 general elections, many internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State did not vote due to the inadequate implementation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) framework and regulations for voting by internally displaced persons 2019. In ensuring that internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State participate in the 2023 general elections, Community Links and Human Empowerment Initiative (CLHEI) through Advocacy, key stakeholders engagement, sensitization and mobilization for the CVR Pre-registration exercise, increased the  participation of IDPs in the 2023 general elections that held in Benue State. 

The voter turnout of IDP voters stood at 56.4%.   

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY INEC NIGERIA

1. The views of IDPs should be considered when updating the IDP Voting framework and during different phases of implementation. (Adopted)
2. The IDP Framework should include language that designates all IDP camps and host communities as mandatory CVR centers. These centers should serve as distribution points for PVC collection. (Partially adopted)
3. The IDP Framework should be reviewed to create mandatory polling units in IDP camps and host communities. Based on the reality that IDP camps can be closed when peace returns, the language in the framework should designate the polling units cited there as temporary polling units. These temporary polling units can be open or closed following a multi-stakeholder engagement in the presence of IDPs at these polling units. (Adopted)
4. The IDP Framework should include specifics on how INEC, security agencies and other partners in the inter-agency consultative committee on election security (ICCES) will provide security for IDPs during CVR and on Election Day. (Partially adopted)
5. The IDP framework should recommend the creation of IDP Desk Officers to address the election-related concerns of IDPs as already with other marginalized groups like women, youth and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
6. The framework should be amended to give inter-state IDPs the right to vote in all elections like their intra-state counterparts. It is only fair that inter-state IDPs that have lived in a particular location for prolonged periods are allowed to vote. The Electoral Act allows all citizens to transfer their registration and vote in other jurisdictions within short notice, and this should be no different for IDPs.
7. The INEC framework for IDPs should be reviewed to include a specific time and frequency of surveys to be conducted in IDP Camps and host communities to collect data on the location, condition of IDP camps and registration status of IDPs. INEC should collaborate with relevant institutions like National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Population Commission ad Humanitarian Agencies.