Of INEC and credible election

October 17, 2017

As the race towards the 2019 general election draws closer and as various political groups and aspirants spring up across the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is no doubt preparing hard for the election.

It will however not be out of place to offer the commission some words of advice regarding the conduct of credible elections.

Over time, some unscrupulous politicians had always been accused of colluding with some irresponsible INEC officials to perpetuate themselves in power through dubious means.

Such means include falsification of results, stuffing of ballot boxes, announcing unauthorised results, changing ballot boxes overnight, mixing old ballot papers with fresh ones, among others.

Certainly, allowing such practices again will not augur well for the nation and its democracy. On the other hand, some persons who are dissatisfied by the outcome of elections often resort to violence to ventilate their grievances. They carry out wanton destruction of property.

But in my humble opinion, violence is not the ideal thing in settling differences in matters such as badly conducted elections. I understand that people should vote as part of their civic responsibilities, but I cannot see why election should be rigged at all costs. Why not allow people to vote as their conscience dictates?

I hope that everything will be done by the electoral officials and security agents who may be deployed to supervise the conduct of the election to preempt or forestall rigging in the forthcoming elections.

It will not be out of place for the electoral body to educate its officials on the essence of conducting a credible election which will be acceptable to Nigerians and the international community.

INEC should ensure that unfairness, favouritism and other misdemeanours which had characterised similar exercises in the past do not recur.

The body should steer clear of any act capable of tarnishing the image or reputation which it has built for itself.

Early preparation to achieve a credible election will be in order. It will also reinforce the confidence which people have already reposed in the commission.