Participation in elections is an important aspect of our civil responsibility especially citizens who are eligible to vote and be voted for.

While the results of General Elections determine the composition of a government and the policies that will be implemented thereafter, many countries including Nigeria's General Elections are considered a cornerstone of democracy, as they allow citizens to have a say in the governance of their country.

But before this, there is need to set measures and actions to prevent and mitigate the occurrences of violence during after election. These strategies Includes: Voter Education, Security awareness, Planning, Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Media and Communication Strategy, Monitoring and Reporting and Post-election Reconciliation among others.

With this in view, the Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development and Nonviolent Peaceforce with support from Non-violenceXXI and Canadian Friends Service Committee have organized a three days capacity building training to strengthen the resilience of youth on Electoral Violence Prevention ahead of 2023 General Elections in Nigeria slated to hold in February and March respectively.

The Executive Director of the Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development Mr. Igweshi Augustine urged Nigerian Youths across the 36 states and FCT to use the knowledge and skills acquired in the Three Days Training to prevent electoral violence and ensure peaceful elections at the 2023 General Elections.

The capacity building training which started on January 18th and came to a close on Friday 20th January was facilitated by National Coordinator of Canadian Friends Service Committee in Burudu Madam Pastaur, The Executive Director Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development Mr. Igweshi Augustine and the training Coordinator of Nonviolent Peaceforce Ms. Marion Girard.

Participants were taken through Unarmed Civilian Protection Principles, Unarmed Civilian Protection Strategies to Prevent Electoral Violence, Unarmed Civilian Protection Activities that can be used to prevent Electoral Violence, Empathy Exercise, Crossing the River Exercise, conflict prevention, misinformation and disinformation, group discussion and contribution from the participants on preventing Electoral Violence ahead of the General Elections.

Also a Town Hall Meeting was held as part of the activities to strengthen the resilience of youth to prevent Electoral Violence

Guest Speakers at the Town Hall Meeting includes the Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution Represented by Dr. Barr. Ukem, Executive Director CLEEN FOUNDATION, Mr. Gad Peter, represented by the Program Manager, Mrs Chigozirim Odinkalu and the Country Director Global Peace Foundation who also is the CAN president Kadunna Chapter, Rev John Joseph Hayab

They Urged the youths to use the skills and knowledge acquired in the training to advocate against electoral violence and transfer the knowledge to other young people in their respective communities as well as be advocate for peaceful elections.