The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) said on Tuesday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must take urgent steps to restore the confidence of the Nigerian people in the electoral process.
Speaking at a meeting between political parties and the commission as part of preparations for the three off-cycle elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa, the National Chairman of IPAC, Sani Yabagi said as custodians of the electoral process in the country, it is essential that the commission address the confidence issue comprehensively.
He said the commission must continue to demonstrate impartiality, transparency, and a commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections.
He said: “As we gather in preparation for the off-season elections in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa States scheduled for November 11, 2023, I would like to on behalf of all political parties in Nigeria request INEC to seize the opportunity of these elections to deal with the issue of confidence deficit among the citizenry following the outcome of the 2023 national elections.
“The 2023 national elections presented us with numerous challenges and controversies, leading to enormous challenges in our electoral processes. It is essential for INEC, as the custodian of our democracy, to address this issue comprehensively.
“To reaffirm citizens’ confidence, INEC must continue to demonstrate impartiality, transparency, and a commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections. This is not only a moral imperative, but a necessary step towards preserving the integrity of our democratic system.
“There is no doubt that INEC is showing its best efforts in its preparations in spite of obvious encumbrances. However, a lot more needs to be done to ensure that elections in Nigeria are hitch-free, credible and substantially comply with the provisions of the controversial 2022 electoral act.
“Furthermore, I challenge INEC to work diligently in persuading our security agencies to play by the rules of engagement and resist the temptation of being used by desperate politicians.
“The involvement of security agencies in the electoral process, when it becomes unavailable, must be based on professionalism, neutrality, and a commitment to the defence of our democracy, rather than partisan interests.
“The citizens must feel secure in their participation in the electoral process, knowing that their safety and security are assured. The present precarious state of insecurity in the country and in particular the three states where the November 11, 2023 season elections will be taking place poses a real threat to the full participation of the citizens in the exercise.
“It is also of paramount importance that INEC ensures the timely and secure delivery of both sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials to the States. Delays or mishandling of these materials can lead to suspicion and undermine the credibility of the entire election. We must work collaboratively to guarantee that these materials reach their destinations without any hitches.
“As we prepare for the upcoming off-season elections, let us recommit ourselves to the principles of democracy, fairness, and transparency. The challenges we face are not insurmountable, but they require a collective effort from all stakeholders involved in the electoral process.
“We must uphold the tenets of our democracy and work towards ensuring that the voice of the people is heard and respected through the ballot box.
“I implore all political parties, civil society organizations, and all citizens to play their part in creating an environment that fosters trust and confidence in our electoral processes. Together, we can ensure that the people’s will prevails and that our democracy continues to grow stronger.”
He disposed of that as part of the efforts towards deepening our nascent democracy, the council is putting in place a mechanism that will ensure the political leadership at all levels of government achieve the SDGs in their constituencies in every context.
He said: “We have commenced the First IPAC Peer Review of elected leaders. IPAC is a critical stakeholder and the incubator of the leadership of the country at all levels and tiers of government
“At the National level of governance, the mechanism will be applied in ensuring that the legislature performs its statutory functions of law-making, oversight and effective representation of the people. It is believed this will put the federal government on its toes to discharge its fundamental responsibilities of providing security and welfare for the people of Nigeria.
“The Peer Review Mechanism seeks to sensitize and mobilize State Governors and National leadership on the target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDS) as they implement party Manifestos. It will interrogate the parameters and indicators for measuring the achievement of the SDGs in the States of the federation.
“In addition, it will assist national and sub-national governments to foster good governance and accelerate the pace of their development through periodic reviews of progress in the implementation of the SDGs.
“It will also encourage experience sharing among States and reinforce the commendable and innovative practices unveiled in the peer review process as well as provide an opportunity for the State Governments to highlight their achievements and share their areas of challenges for necessary intervention.
“We have also initiated the IPAC Situation Room powered by the Election Results Management System (ERMS). Over the years, we have seen the election processes abused, monetized, or brutally corrupted and the declared results being sharply disputed.
“We have also noted that over 80% of the declared election results have had to be resolved through tribunals and court processes.”
He said further that “from our study, this ugly development is directly attributable to the quality of Agents representing Political Parties at the Polling Units and Collation Centers.
“These Agents are mostly poorly trained, easily compromised, or outright fraudsters, who in some instances would not submit to the party or the Candidate the Form EC8 issued by INEC and signed by all the relevant stakeholders at the conclusion of the exercise at the polling units.
“The ERMS will minimize or eliminate the menace of the Agents and other representatives of political parties in the process.
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“For the first time, political parties will be guaranteed effective monitoring and control of the activities of their representatives and other stakeholders in the handling of the election results from the Polling Units, Collation Centers up to the declaration of results by INEC, the only authority, in line with the 2022 Electoral Act, with powers to announce winners of elections.
“The IPAC Situation Room ERMS would complement current efforts by INEC to provide political parties certified Form EC8A copy of which are also pasted by INEC by the walls at the polling stations.
“The IPAC initiative will also be of great pre-election value to enhance cost-effective operations. It would collate election results quickly from INEC-certified Form EC8As from all Polling Units and It would be of enormous post-election value in producing scientifically irrefutable documents for use at the Tribunals, all within the 28-day window allowed by the new rules.
“The Council is making efforts to commence the implementation of this project in the forthcoming November 11, 2023, gubernatorial elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States”.