PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Elections: The American Experience

Date: August 23, 2006
Venue: American Corner, Abuja

U.S. Embassy Abuja Political Officer William Harlow discussing the U.S. Elections Experience ant the American Corner, Jos, Nigeria.

“Democracy is not an easy process.  However, the mark of democracy is not finding the easy road to perfect elections every time.  The mark of democracy is to continue to hold elections as you seek to make every voice heard.”  These were the words of the Embassy Political Officer, William Harlow when he delivered a lecture titled “Elections: The American Experience” to over 40 guests at the American Corner in Jos.  The Plateau State Commissioner for Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) chaired the occasion and compared the Nigerian experience with that of the United States.  The lecture was one in a series of presentations on the American electoral process.

The U.S. Mission has been conducting lectures on the American election and democratic process with key audiences to emphasis our shared values.  Mr. Harlow presented an overview of the American electoral process since the first American election through the implementation of universal suffrage.  This lecture generated intense discussion among the audience that included politicians, university dons, civil society, youths, and media.  The General Manager of the state owned radio and television station who described the lecture as “educative and thought provoking” later invited Mr. Harlow to the state owned radio station were he present same paper to be aired to a larger audience.  The lecture also received wide press coverage in both national and state newspapers.