2025 Session 3 Report: Exercising Democracy – Team Lead Elections
Empowering Youth Through Democratic Participation
- Date: January 25th, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: Former Caravan 4, Aja-Pessu (Pessu Town), Warri
- Attendees: 52 participants, 5 volunteers
- Activity: Team Lead Elections
- Organizers: Itsekiri NextGen Team
Session Summary:
This session focused on electing new team leads and assistants for each team, providing participants with practical experience in democratic processes. This activity directly supports the Leadership Mandate by allowing participants to engage in elections, understand democratic principles, and potentially take on leadership roles. It also touches upon the Social & Cultural Mandate by reinforcing the importance of civic participation.
Session Details:
The participants were eager to participate in the election process. Following the opening prayer and the Itsekiri anthem, the coordinator welcomed everyone and provided a brief overview of the importance of elections, emphasizing that voting is a right and responsibility for citizens aged 18 and above. She clarified that while age is typically a prerequisite, for these team elections, all participants, regardless of age, had the right to vote and be voted for, ensuring inclusivity.
Toju Ogharandukun then facilitated the manifesto presentations. Contestants from each team presented their platforms, outlining their goals and plans. While the presentations were underway, a volunteer distributed ballot papers to all participants.
Ballot boxes were placed in front of each team, and the names of the contestants for each team were displayed on a screen. Participants were organized by team and filed up to view the candidate names, which they then wrote on their ballot papers.
Jolomi Tedeye announced the election results:
- Ikemwoli Group: Total Votes: 12. Rosemary Okechukwu: 11 votes; Happy Omomehin: 1 vote.
- Atuwatse II Group: Total Votes: 13. Emmanuel Okorie: 4 votes; Etuwewe Besinfe: 5 votes; Laju Weyinmi: 4 votes.
- Ginuwa II Group: Total Votes: 19. Success Tuedor: 8 votes; Ijeoma Thompson: 7 votes; Tosanwumi Okandeji: 4 votes.
- Ikenwoli Group: Total Votes: 9. Chisom Onovo: 1 vote; Sharon: 4 votes; Laju Faulkner: 4 votes.
In the event of a tie, such as in the Ikenwoli and Atuwatse II groups, Emma Egbe facilitated a tie-breaker. Supporters of each tied candidate were asked to stand and be counted. The candidate with the most supporters was declared the winner, and the other tied candidate automatically became the assistant.
The election process was deemed credible and transparent.
Volunteers:
- Debi Amadedon
- Emmanuel Egbe
- Oritsetimeyin Clinton Odatuwa
- Toju Ogharandukun
- Jolomi Tedeye
Key Activities:
- Manifesto presentations
- Voting
- Vote counting and announcement of results
- Tie-breaker process
Session Outcome:
The successful session provided participants with valuable experience in democratic elections and leadership selection. There were no reported issues.
