THE Coalition of Progressive Political Parties (COP3) has expressed confidence on the readiness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free fair and credible election next month.
The COP3 also condemned what it described as a desperate move by from some quarters to undermine the electoral process at this critical period.
In a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the Coalition, Agbo Major, said that the present election guideline issued by INEC shows that the Commission would ensure a credible poll.
The statement reads “the Coalition of Progressive Political Parties (COP3), a coalition of Nigeria’s registered Political Parties, view with deep concern the unprovoked and unjustified disparaging of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and its preparations for the 2019 General Election by people whose motive is, at best, suspect but who, from their utterances, appear to be afraid of the possible outcome of the election which is only a few weeks away.
“We are concerned about the mass hysteria being created by otherwise respected statesmen and the apparent priming up of the nation for possible post-election crisis or, even violence.
“We disagree completely with those who question the sincerity, credibility and resoluteness of INEC and the patriotic disposition of its leadership to deliver free, fair and transparent elections in February and March 2019.
“We wish to let the nation know that from 2010 when Prof Attahiru Jega came on board as INEC Chairman to date, the Commission has maintained a tradition of robust engagement with all Nigeria’s registered political parties in the preparations for each and every election in the country through regular consultative meetings and the forthcoming general election is no different. As we approach the 2019 general election, this robust engagement had become even more intense with civil society organizations, the media, donor agencies, and other stakeholders brought to the table as well. Before now, this level of transparency had not been the case. Certainly, Nigeria’s elections are getting better with each election since 2010.
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“The present guidelines for the conduct of the 2019 general elections and the innovations introduced by INEC, especially the administration of the Polling Units, are unprecedented and give hope for that the conduct of the 2019 general elections will witness enhanced credibility and transparency.
“The reintroduction of simultaneous accreditation and voting was made possible due to the agitation mounted by all registered political parties in 2016 because it was discovered during the last general election that in some cases, up to 20% of accredited voters did not return to vote.
“The reintroduction of the simultaneous process was to redress this undesirable outcome in the 2019 elections and it was agreed to by all political parties at the time. The system has been tried in other off-season elections since then and it had proved useful in reducing the gap between a number of accredited voters and the number of votes cast.
“Nigerians have responded positively because of their belief that their votes will surely count. A whopping 84 million eligible voters captured on the Voters Register bears eloquent testimony to the improved confidence which the Nigerian electorate has in the Commission and its preparations for the elections, so far.
The Coalition, however, commended the neutrality of the Federal Government in handling INEC matters, adding the Commission had never witnessed such independence especially from 1999 to 2010.
“We wish to seize this opportunity to commend the zero-interference policy of the Federal Government in the affairs of INEC. This is indeed a breath of fresh air from the repugnant and sordid past history of the Commission, especially from 1999 to 2010.
“It is also commendable that INEC has not been denied the necessary funds to carry out its functions as was the case in the sordid past. We believe that President Muhammadu Buhari can be taken for his words that he will not interfere directly or indirectly with the independence of INEC. We believe him because his track record during the various off-season elections that took place under his watch attest to it.
The COP3 also frowned at the poor quality of campaigns from some candidates recently, they said some of the campaigns are characterized by fake news, malicious propaganda and incitement.
“The Coalition of Progressive Political Parties (COP3) is appalled by the poor quality and lack of intensity of the campaigns of some political parties and their candidates.
“Fake news, malicious propaganda, incitement and threats of violence characterize their campaigns at this point in time. We appeal to all political parties and their candidates to live up to the pledges they made to the Nigerian electorate and the various peace accords they signed to conduct themselves peacefully without the threat or the actual resort to violence.
We urge all Nigerians to be vigilant and guard their right to vote for leaders of their choice without fear of intimidation by big men so that Nigeria will continue to survive and grow as Africa’s largest democracy by far. Similarly, we urge all our security agencies to remain alive to their responsibilities of protecting the lives and properties of all Nigerians and now allow a few desperate politicians to create a post-election crisis because their expectations of returning to power are dashed.”
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