Webfala organised a Stakeholders' Engagement in Ilorin to combat election violence in the nation on Wednesday when the e-platform was formally unveiled.
According to the organization's executive director Nafisat Bakare, election violence is damaging, sad, a breakdown of law and order, and it shouldn't be tolerated during Nigeria's political process.
She claims that because violence has always been a part of Nigeria's political process, there is an urgent need for technical solutions to stop it.
According to her, the website may be used to report and monitor violent incidents that occur before to, during, and after elections.
We are launching our e-platform today as part of our efforts to promote peace and guarantee security during elections.
"NextElection is a platform designed to provide real-time information on violence during elections using technology and data to support violence monitoring and mitigation efforts," she said. "As active participants in the digital space, we believe technology can be used to fight violence during elections."
To report instances of electoral-related violence in their local areas, Bakare asked the people to visit www.nextelection.ng.
The executive director gave the public his word that the group would start engaging in media advocacy to inform the public on how to use the platform and the risks of electoral violence.
She gave political players and other national stakeholders the responsibility of exercising restraint in their speech and pledging to prevent election violence in Nigeria.
She asked people to refrain from using hate speech, obscene language, fake news, and reckless behaviour that may lead to armed conflict in the nation.
She urged the government to penalise those who violate electoral rules and procedures instead of treating them lightly.
Mallam Attairu Madami, the Kwara Resident Electoral Commissioner, praised Webfala for their attempt to use technology to end pre- and post-election violence in the nation.
To ensure a free and fair election in the general election of 2023, Madami, represented by Adamu Musa, the Head of the Department of Voter Education and Publicity, INEC Kwara, asked for coordinated efforts.
To ensure peaceful elections, Madami also appealed for support from the media, traditional leaders, political figures, and the general people.
"Everybody needs to be on deck. The most transparent election in Nigerian history will be carried out by INEC, which is prepared to do so.
"We are attempting to do that. We also applaud Webfala for having the idea for this. Election success depends on technology, he said.
However, he urged security forces to be prepared to carry out their tasks efficiently and without fear or favour.
Abdulateef Ahmed, the chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara Council, urged the prompt deployment of security personnel and active security measures.
Ahmed challenged the media to cover the election objectively and refrain from spreading false information.
"We must all rise up to protect Nigeria from evildoers because we are all stakeholders. Whether you work in security, are a journalist, a religious leader, a political party leader, or a youth leader. To save Nigeria, "everyone is a leader in his own right," he said.
The event's subject was "2023: Deploying Technology and Data to Report and Combat Electoral Violence," according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Along with other participants from other organisations and ministries, the event was attended by representatives of all the state's security agencies.