Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working on electoral reforms in Nigeria on Tuesday underscored the need to strip Nigeria’s President the power to appoint Chairman and Commissioners of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The CSOs, who gave the charge in Abuja during the ‘Citizens’ Town Hall on electoral reforms’, also called for the implementation of Justice Uwais report on electoral reforms as well as enactment of law that would enable Nigerians in Diaspora to vote in subsequent elections.
In the same vein, the CSOs who called for the unbundling of INEC for effective service delivery, observed that the election umpire lacks the manpower capacity to prosecute offenders, hence canvassed for the establishment of Election Offence Tribunal that will be independent of the Commission.
In its presentation, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund advocated that: “in the appointment of the INEC, we would like the process to be more independent.
“So, what we mean by that is, there should be a way by which someone can move through the ranks within INEC and become a chairman, because we don’t want a situation where the Chairman has been appointed by the President. I mean, it doesn’t make sense if someone is officiating a football match or one of the players is the appointee. It’s not fair at all.”
Other CSOs representatives who accused Politicians of abusing powers, underscored the need to bring the full weight of the law on election offenders by ensuring that those who perpetuate electoral violence are prosecuted, in order to serve as deterrent to others.
In the same vein, he advocated for full incorporation of electronic voting which will encourage citizens to participate in elections and halt electoral violence.
The stakeholders also harped on the need to ensure prompt payment of welfare packages approved for various security Agencies who participate in the elections as part of efforts aimed at discouraging them from being induced by politicians.
While expressing displeasure over the menace of voter apathy, the CSOs lamented that the 2023 general elections recorded the lowest participation in the history of the elections conducted in the country, hence they called for massive reorientation of the populace.
The stakeholders who expressed displeasure over the public outcry on the outcome of the Election Tribunal cases in Plateau, Kano and other States of the Federation, lamented that the old narrative that Judiciary is the last hope of the poor, has been eroded, as they alleged that Judiciary has turned to a place where their hopes are destroyed.
While delivering his remarks, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio assured Nigerians and the international community of the present administration’s readiness to partner anyone on electoral reforms and in its quest to put Nigeria at the driving seat in industrial and economic advancement.
Senator Akpabio, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Sylvester Okonkwo, expressed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration resolve to partner relevant stakeholders who are “interested in the progress and development of this nation.
“Not only on the issue of electoral reform, but also in formulating legislative initiatives and policies that will revamp our economy and put us in the driving seat in the industrial and economic advancement, with all the positive efforts and pragmatic approaches to issues that matter.
“This renewed hope will be a reality and a stepping stone in moving this country forward.
“I want to say that time has come for all of us to be positive about our country, it does not do us any good as a country that each time we have to talk we talk about our negatives.
“Let us also find time to talk about the great achievement that is being made and that will continue to be made for the betterment of our country.”
On his part, Executive Director of TAF Foundation, Mr. Jack Ukpele, who decried the unabated marginalisation of over 31 million people with disabilities (PWDs) in the country, noted that any electoral process not inclusive will give birth to a deformed process.
On his part, former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega lauded the commitment to start electoral reforms early in this new electoral cycle leading to 2027.
He however lamented that “between 2011 and 2022 a lot of efforts have been made by civil society organizations by INEC itself and the previous National Assemblies were either reluctant or all not favorable to serious efforts to electoral reforms until 2022.
“So, I think this is very commendable that a few months after the inauguration of a new government, the process has already commenced the electoral reform, I think is a very important thing that needs to be commended.”
In the bid to sanitize the country’s electoral system, Professor Jega underscored the need to incorporate use of technology in elections relating to voting rights and inclusivity related to political parties, electoral dispute resolution and judicial education related to institutional independence.and security.
“The first point I want to make is that if we want to improve our politics, deepen our democracy, and improve electoral integrity, it is necessary to prescribe cross-carpeting by politicians from one party to another. I think this is very, very important.
“And I think the reason why it does not seem to be appealing to our legislators to do that, is because the challenges they face in the primaries force many of them to move to other parties where they think they will find a platform to contest.
“And when they cross the carpet, they move in most cases in the legislatures to the ruling parties, but it undermines the fundamental essence of democracy.”
. TheWitness
