Nigeria needs national conversation on credible polls ―  NDI/ IRI

The joint Nigeria International Election Observer Mission of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) have recommended a national dialogue to inspire credibility in the electoral process.

The report which was formally released on Tuesday in Abuja was a comprehensive analysis of the conduct of the 2019 general elections and key recommendations ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The report signed by Ambassador Derek Mitchell and Dr Daniel Twining, President, National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute, respectively read in part: “These elections marked the 20th anniversary of the country’s transition to civilian democratic rule.

However, the elections highlighted for many Nigerians the need for a national conversation about the progress made since that transition and the vulnerabilities that must be overcome to make electoral processes more credible and the country’s democracy more resilient.

“The IRI/ NDI mission urges the Nigerian stakeholders to seriously consider these and other recommendations to improve the electoral process, unlike in previous years when suggestions by reputable citizen and international observers missions went unheeded.”

The Chief Observer of European Union Election Observation Mission on the 2019 general elections, Maria Arena, made similar recommendations of a national dialogue while presenting her team report last week.

The joint team of NDI/IRI expressed regret that “money has played a corrosive role in Nigeria’s political system” while the menace of vote buying hampered quality judgement on the part of the electorate.

“During the February 23 and March 9 polls, IRI/ NDI observers witnessed vote buying at polling units as well as party agents in marking their ballots and violating the secrecy of the vote.”

Other recommendations in the report included early preparation for elections so as to mitigate against last-minute shortcomings.

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It called for a workable legal framework and election dispute resolution technique that would enable the electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political stakeholders pursue a comprehensive, inclusive and expeditious electoral reform process.

The team further called for the establishment of time limits for the adjudication of pre-election petitions to ensure that judgements were rendered before election day and early enough not to interfere with INEC’s election preparations.

The joint team said they were anxious to see that democracy was consolidated in Nigeria because of the nation’s strategic status in Africa.

“The road to perfecting democracy is a long one and we look forward to a continued partnership with Nigeria.

“We feel fortunate to be accepted by Nigerians as a viable partner. We know what this country could contribute to Africa and the world. Don’t forget that Nigeria stands to move to the status of the third most populous country in the world. A lot has been accomplished but there is still a lot to be done. Once you can give Nigerians the assurance that their votes count, they can go home and sleep. We shall continue to raise the alarm bell because people can ventilate their disaffection in a negative way if their votes don’t count. We must work side by side with Nigeria to make democracy work.”

Commenting on the report, National Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said: “the Commission will study your recommendations in detail and will continue to partner with you to improve the electoral and democratic processes in Nigeria.”

“We have already embarked on our own internal reviews. Your report is coming at the right time. I wish to assure you that we will implement aspects of your recommendations that require administrative action by the Commission beginning with the forthcoming Bayelsa and Kogi Governorship elections scheduled for 16th November 2019.”

He also assured that the Commission would “work with other institutions on aspects of the recommendations that require consequential action beyond the mandate of the Commission.”

Professor Yakubu disclosed that the joint team of IRI and NDI were among the 39 foreign organisations accredited by the Commission to observe the 2019 general elections.

“The joint team reportedly deployed 40 international observers to 16 states of the Federation for the Presidential and National Assembly elections and 20 international observers to 10 states of the Federation for the governorship and state assembly elections.

“You observed the 2019 general elections on the invitation of INEC. Your long-term and continuous presence in the country means that our partnership with you predated the 2019 general election and will hopefully continue to the next general elections and beyond.”

“It is, therefore, our expectation that your report is all-encompassing with clear recommendations for all institutions involved in the electoral process.”