Strengthening Democracy: The Role of Citizens

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As it happens, many people equate democracy with elections. They consider politicians, campaign rallies and ballot papers. However, democracy is not solely a matter of choosing leaders every couple of years. It is a system that relies on the participation of regular citizens. Democracy is empty if not for the participation of citizens. It turns into a way of life, a procedure, not an action. This is particularly true for Africa where many young and fragile democracies exist. The power of a country's democracy is not all in its constitution. It is measured by the every day activities of its inhabitants.

Beyond the Ballot Box

While voting is the most apparent act of citizenship, it's not the only one. One who only casts a vote every four years and otherwise stays out of the affair is no participant in the democratic process. Actual popular participation in the democratic process is daily. It occurs when one reads the news and checks on the claims. It occurs at Town Hall. It occurs when you raise your voice against the corrupt official or when you enunciate a broken road. The little things will add up to something big.

In several African states, voter participation has dropped in the last few years' elections. Some voters feel that their vote is not being counted.Some citizens consider that their vote doesn't count. Others are angry about unfulfilled commitments. This disaffection is perilous. Without citizens, there is a vacuum. This vacuum is usually taken up by the same politicians that lead to frustration in the first place. The only way to break this cycle is to stay involved.

Holding Leaders Accountable

Citizens' primary responsibility is to hold leaders to account. The citizens should control the politicians, not the other way around. If they forget, citizens need to remind them.

There are many ways to be held accountable. It involves questioning at public forums. It is asking for receipts for the expenditure by the government. Accessing documents as allowed by freedom of information laws. It involves backing investigations into corruption by journalists. It involves sharing information and organizing on social media.

Remembering is a part of accountability too. Citizens have to be mindful of what was pledged at the electoral process and what was provided. They are responsible for keeping records of the votes on key matters. They need to incentivize positive behavior at polling stations with support and enforcement with respect to poor behavior. This is not easy. It takes a long-term focus and effort. However, it is necessary.

Engaging in Local Governance

The focus is on national politics while local government is in a position to shape everyday life. Local authorities influence the state of the roads, the quality of schools, clean water, and safety of neighbourhoods. What does this mean? Not engaging with local politics means that citizens miss the chance to shape what matters to them.

It is easy and meaningful to contribute to ward development committee meetings. These are the meetings that budgets are discussed and projects are planned. These meetings are empty far too often. The plans are approved by officials alone, without input from those that they serve. Citizen participation in governance improves if they arrive and ask questions and make recommendations.

Community development associations are another way to be involved. Groups of people may be established by people from a specific neighbourhood or village, and may lobby for common interests. They can share funds with other local projects. They can track and point out government programs, and repair the issues. Community association is a microcosm of a democratic society.

The importance of Civil Society is emphasized.

In democracy, there should be a distance between the state and individual. It is occupied by civil society, whether in the form of churches, mosques, trade unions, professional associations, youth groups, women's organisations or nongovernmental organisations. These groups conduct training, information and support for democratic participation.

Citizens developing group skills through participation in CSOs. They learn how to conduct meetings, budget, and advocate change. They form inter-ethnic and interreligious contacts. Become confident in their own capacity to make a difference. These skills and relationships are strengthening democracy from below.

A lack of civil society leads to a lack of democracy. No organised opposition to governments. Collective voice of citizens is absent. No one pays attention to individual complaints. Citizens enhance democracy's network through its civil society groups.

Combating Misinformation

Well-informed citizens are critical to healthy democracy. Without being able to distinguish truth from falsehood, people cannot make good choices at the ballot box. They can be swayed by fear, rumour and propaganda. This is not a slippery slope issue. Widely, misinformation has been linked to ethnic violence, undermining electoral processes and reducing trust in democratic institutions in Africa.

It is the duty of all citizens to be part of the solution to misinformation. It begins with the "check source" before sharing content. It involves going beyond the headlines. It is comparing various news media. It is questioning of sensational statements, particularly if they cause distress such as anger or fear.

It's as important to have accurate information as it is to not have false information. Point out to another person unkindly what he or she is doing wrong when it is an untruth. If you locate a trustworthy news source, suggest it to your buddies. Attend a public meeting, follow-up with your community. Such information stewardship is a strengthening of the collective knowledge that underlies democracy.

Peaceable Advocacy and Protest

One of the aspects of democracy is the right to disagree. People have the right to protest, rally and campaign peacefully about issues that are important to them. This is a basic right. It's when society's justice mechanisms will break down.

One of the proud traditions of the African continent is peaceful protest. Citizens have been demonstrating their desire for change through collective action since the struggle for decolonisation and onward to the campaign for multiparty politics. This is what still takes place today. Citizens are protesting against police brutality, electoral fraud, corruption and deficient public services.

The word is peaceful. Violence undermines democracy. It rips property and harms people, and provides governments with an excuse for repression. However, peaceful protest establishes moral authority. It does its duty of drawing sympathy and support. Uses pressure and still allows for discussion.

Running for Office

Not all citizens are able to be in public office, but more citizens should think about it. Local government councils, school boards and community development committees require qualified and honest persons. If good citizens don't run, then there are only bad citizens left running.