BY CHIKA OKEKE, ABUJA
Mrs Mary Nkem
Barely ten months after the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to release official statement on the pros and cons of the election.
News Rider reports that the 2023 general elections commenced with the Presidential and National Assembly polls on Saturday, February 25, while the Governorship and State Assembly elections took place on Saturday, March 18.
Findings indicated that the elections experienced skirmishes such as snatching of ballot boxes, violence, corruption, ethnic politics and failed technology like the use of INEC Result Viewing (IReV) in uploading results as promised by the commission.
The European Union Election Observation Mission in its report revealed that the 2023 general elections was not transparent and lacked inclusive democratic process.
“The 2023 general elections did not ensure a well-run transparent, and inclusive democratic process as assured by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
"Public confidence and trust in INEC were severely damaged during the presidential poll
and was not restored in state level elections, leading civil society to call for an independent audit of the entire process.
"The pre-poll environment was volatile and challenging, and affected by economic crises. The overall outcome of the polls attests to the continued under-representation of marginalised groups in political life.
"Positively, candidates and parties disputing outcomes took their complaints to the courts, although the number of such cases was extensive,"EU added.
Participants at a one-day Media/Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) roundtable in Abuja on Tuesday
For YIAGA Africa's final report on Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, INEC and other electoral governance actors did not meet public expectations despite the confidence building and voter mobilisation initiatives that preceded the elections.
"INEC’s extensive preparations and public communications set the bar high for the election. Unfortunately, the commission did not meet these expectations," it added.
The report indicated that the judiciary delivered judgements that undermined provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and rolled back reforms seeking to improve the candidate nomination process in political parties.
It also revealed that the elections represented a missed opportunity, as incremental electoral reforms to enhance electoral integrity failed to deliver desired outcomes.
In his contribution, a Development Consultant, Mr Jide Ojo was shocked that almost a year after the conduct of the last general elections, INEC is yet to make public information about arrests, investigations and prosecution of its staff that were alleged to be involved in compromising the integrity of the elections.
He provided the update at a one-day Media/Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) roundtable, organised by International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos, under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase 2 (EUSDGN II) Component 4: Support to Media project on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ojo disclosed that no further update has been given on INEC ad hoc staff caught with pre-filled result sheets during the November 11, 2023 governorship elections in Kogi state as well as those who posted results of polling units where elections did not hold on IREV in Imo state.
He stated that many Nigerians are at a loss on why the commission did not invoke provision of section 65 (1) of the E.A 2022 which empowered it to review results that were wrongfully declared.
But the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, INEC, Mrs Mary Nkem assured that very soon, the report on the 2023 general elections would be released.
On whether she was satisfied with the conduct of 2023 general elections, she said: "We have done our best but there is room for improvement. This is what led to the review of the election to ascertain the areas we did well and areas of improvement."
Responding to the prosecution of election offenders, she added: "INEC does not have the power to arrest. There are organisations and agencies that are responsible for arrest and investigation. After the offenders have been arrested and investigated, they will send the file to INEC.
She noted that the commision partners with the police and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for arrest and prosecution, adding that INEC received 19 case files of individuals indicted for electoral offences.
Nkem harped on the need for active collaboration between the media and CSOs in order to guarantee safe and secured election.
"INEC operates an open door policy. We have our ears on the ground. We listen to criticisms. In the 2023 election, the commission did lots of review involving the media, CSOs and political parties.
Nkem stated that INEC recruited over one million personnel for the 2023 general elections when the commision does not have up to 15, 000 staff.
Comments
Post a Comment