Synopsis of Findings from Focus Group Discussion by Stakeholders 6.8 Participants at the High Table a. Expectations from the Workshop i. Share unique experiences, challenges and way forward. ii. Come up with specific suggestions that would guarantee secure and credible elections. iii. Make concrete and implementable recommendations. b. Expectations from Resource Persons i. Clearly outline experiences and best practices in dealing with challenges to election security. ii. Identify new and emerging challenges that could impede peaceful conduct of elections not only in Ekiti state but in the country, Nigeria. iii. Proffer solutions to new and emerging challenges, some of which may include payment of allowances, logistics, late arrival of materials, lack of information about collapsed polling units, inexperienced ad-hoc staff, abuse of drugs etc. iv. Delineate the specific and general roles of stakeholders in ensuring election security. c. Expectations from ICCES i. Appraise the security situation in Ekiti state in particular and the nation in general from all stakeholders ii. Identify and track flash points; whether those are individuals, groups or places iii. Clearly show how identified challenges are to be mitigated. The specific roles of stakeholders: INEC, government at federal, state and local levels, security agencies, etc., should be stated and proactively pursued. 100 Synopsis of Findings from Focus Group Discussion by Stakeholders 6.9. Political Parties a. Expectations from Participants i. Provision of job opportunities to youths and qualified people. ii. Security agencies should discharge their constitutional duties without fear or favour during elections. iii. All relevant equipment like card readers and other election materials should be provided on the election day. iv. Quick responses should be made by security personnel whenever time demands without turning away their eyes or tactical withdrawal from the scene. b. Expectations from Resource Persons i. Youths should be called upon to reject any offer capable of destroying their future. ii. Participant should be well educated about election proceedings. iii. Employment opportunities should be created for the youths. iv. Compulsory education for all Nigerians up to secondary school and university levels should be adopted as government policy. v. Traditional rulers are not expected to be partisan. c. Expectations from the Workshop i. A well-structured educational policy for the youths. ii. Political sensitization. iii. INEC and its officials should remain unbiased during and after the election. iv. Lapses observed in the previous election should be corrected. v. INEC should be made truly independent. 101