Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) performed below expectation in the last presidential and National Assembly elections across the country.
They therefore tasked the electoral umpire to brace up for the challenges and perform better during this Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections.
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The CSOs regretted that most Nigerians were not satisfied with the conduct of the February 25 elections by INEC.
Addressing journalists in Kano on Monday, the chairman of the conference, Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya, said, “The presidential and National Assembly elections conducted on 25th February by INEC have fallen short of the standard of all election practices and ethics.”
According to him, “INEC has raised so many credibility questions on its name and created doubt in the minds of Nigerians regarding its preparedness to conduct free, fair, credible and acceptable elections in Nigeria.”
He, however, expressed happiness that, “timely distribution of electoral materials, especially to LGAs offices were really commendable. Quick responses to BVAS issues on the election day were also impressive. The election was on a general assessment peaceful.
“The Nigerian security agencies and anti-graft organisations such as EFCC, DSS, NDLEA, NSCDC, Nigeria Police Force performed well in ensuring peaceful polls during the presidential and National Assembly contest, and that they would continue with the work in the next elections,” he said.
Waiya said it was unfortunate that “the elections were highly polarised along religion and ethnicity.”
The conference noted that, “compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act 2022 must be observed to ensure electoral credibility in Nigeria. The impunity of the state governors during elections must be addressed to check their overbearing interference in elections. It is imperative for INEC to review all evidence of electoral malpractices presented before the commission in the interest of peace and security.
“Political party and party processes must be reformed to tackle issues of money bags and Godfatherism in Nigeria’s politics. Where the political parties fail to get it right, it is absolutely impossible for Nigeria to get its general election right. Issue-based campaigns must be encouraged rather than identity sentiments along religion and ethnicity. The EFCC should continue with their good work to reduce the commercialisation of the electoral process through vote buying and selling.”
Waiya regretted that “the conduct of the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections were poor, especially with the attitude of the commission to ditch result transmission from polling units across the country.”
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