2023: Despite Presidency’s assurance, INEC fears cancellation, postponement of polls over insecurity
…As IPAC says Commission’s preparation satisfactory
…Says INEC remains resolute, courageous to conduct credible, inclusive general elections
…Lauds INEC Boss, passes vote of confidence on him
…Says political hirelings, their sponsors afraid of free, fair elections after INEC boss
As the scourge of insecurity keeps taking heat, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun to nurse the fear of possible postponement or cancellation of polls, should the situation be not adequately put to rest.
Although the Presidency has assured adequate security for the elections slated for February and March, while the Police and other Agencies have boasted of beefing up security architecture, fear over attacks recently has put the INEC on alarm, particularly as the offices of the Commission have recently come under attacks of arson across different parts of the Country.
INEC seeking to prevail over insecurity skirmishes against the election has had series of engagements with security agencies to ensure security of electoral materials, officers, voters and other stakeholders before, during and after the polls.
The Commission, however on Monday expressed fear that rising insecurity onslaught could hinder declaration of election results and precipitate constitutional crisis if situations are not addressed.
The Chairman, Board of The Electoral Institute (TEI), INEC’s training arm, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru raised the alarm on Monday in Abuja at the validation of election security training resources.
He said, “We all appreciate the fact that Election Security is vital to democratic consolidation through provision of enabling environment for the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections and thus strengthening the electoral process.
“Consequently, in preparations for the 2023 General elections, the Commission is not leaving anything to chance in ensuring that intensive and extensive security are provided for election personnel, materials and processes.
“This is particularly significant to the Commission given the current insecurity challenges in various parts of the country and the fact that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members constitute the core of the Polling Unit Election officials.
“Moreover, if the insecurity is not monitored and dealt with decisively, it could ultimately culminate in the cancellation and/or postponement of elections,” adding that it could “hinder declaration of elections results and precipitate constitutional crisis.”
“This must not be allowed to happen and shall not be allowed to happen. Therefore, Security Personnel in particular and all election officials in general must be security conscious and alert to unusual activities in their environment and must be fully equipped to deal with any challenge at all times.
“To this end, the National Security Adviser, Gen. Mohammed Babagana Monguno and the Chairman, INEC have jointly assured the nation that conducive environment will be provided for successful conduct of the 2023 general Election.
“Similarly, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has conducted Election Security Management Workshops across the Six Geopolitical Zones.
“On its part the Commission, through The Electoral Institute, has institutionalised the development and implementation of a cascaded training mechanism for security personnel as a critical component of its training plan,” he added.
According to him, the amended Electoral Act, has availed the Commission opportunities to introduce innovative technologies and procedures into the electoral management processes.
He disclosed that continuous verification, accreditation and voting will be conducted at the polling units using the Bimodal Verification and Accreditation System (BVAS) and real-time polling unit-level results will be uploaded on to the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) Portal using the same BVAS.
“These commitments require innovative security strategies and deployments for protection of voters, election personnel, materials, equipment, the electoral processes as well as the general public and infrastructure.
“These innovative systems and processes minimise human errors and delays in results collation and improves the accuracy, transparency, and credibility of the results collation process thereby ensuring credibility of the process.
“They were tested during the Ekiti and Osun Governorship elections, held on June 18, 2022 and July 16, 2022, respectively,” he added.
The Country Director of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Serah Jah, said putting security threats under check in the electioneering process remains key for INEC to ensure a free, fair and credible election.
Speaking, the Director General of TEI, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris emphasised that the Election Security Training would play a very critical role to equip Security Personnel in securing the electoral environment for free, fair, and credible elections.
…IPAC says Commission’s preparation satisfactory
Meanwhile, though there has been fear over insecurity, no less than 18 political parties on the platform of the Inter-Party Advisory Council on Monday passed a vote of confidence on the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for what they described as satisfactory preparations for the 2023 General Elections.
The action was taken at the Council’s emergency General Assembly meeting held in Abuja to evaluate threats to the 2023 general elections.
IPAC’s National Secretary, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, who read the communiqué before journalists, explained that INEC’s position on deployment of technology in the conduct of the 2023 general election is in tandem with the stance of the Council.
The meeting, he said, observed the purported plot to remove the INEC Chairman from office on allegations of false assets declaration a few weeks to the general election, the spate of campaign violence as well as the recent upsurge in attacks on the commission’s offices in states across the federation.
The communiqué reads partly: “Despite these unprecedented attacks on its facilities and the huge costs in replacing them immediately as time is of the essence, INEC has remained resolute, undaunted and courageous in deploying technology in the conduct of free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive general elections leading to peaceful transfer of power.
“Accordingly, the entire 18 political parties chairmen under the umbrella of IPAC reaffirm their confidence in the INEC led by Professor Mahmood Yakubu to conduct the 2023 general election.
“IPAC is satisfied with the preparations, arrangements and measures taken so far by the Commission to conduct free, fair, credible and transparent, inclusive, peaceful and generally acceptable elections, particularly its decision to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), an electronic device designed to read permanent voter cards and authenticate voters using the voters’ fingerprints.”
The Council explained that BVAS is an effective system that prevents electoral malpractices, stressing that the improved technology in the conduct of elections triggered the attacks on INEC facilities and the grand plot to remove its Chairman by those who benefited from grossly flawed elections and want to maintain the status quo that impeded the nation’s democracy and impoverished the populace.
IPAC commended the Judiciary for the landmark judgment that quashed “frivolous, spurious, unsubstantiated, wide and baseless allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu by political hirelings and their sponsors who are afraid of free and fair elections, and want the status quo to remain.
“IPAC warns these reactionary forces to desist from their plots to truncate the nation’s emerging democracy. National interest supersedes primordial interests. Council will resist any attempt to jeopardise the ongoing electoral process that will deepen and strengthen our civil rule. All patriotic Nigerians are in support of INEC’s efforts to sanitize the nation’s electoral process and conduct credible elections that will reflect the will and mandate of the people.
“The era of election rigging, vote buying, ballot snatching and stuffing and falsification of results is over as we collectively take steps to protect and defend our hard earned democracy since May 29, 1999. This time, every vote must count and be counted in the overall result. We must get it right and move the nation forward in the quest for sustainable democracy in Nigeria,” it said.
The Council, however, expressed concern about the level of insecurity in the country and urged security agents to be proactive and ensure adequate protection of lives and property before, during and after the elections.
The communique read further, “The heightened politically motivated killings and attacks are worrisome and should stop immediately for citizens to discharge their civic duties. Security agents should fish out the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and their sponsors to face justice. The need for enhanced intelligence gathering, sharing and utilisation amongst security agencies to curb acts of political violence cannot be overemphasized in this crucial general election that will redefine the destiny of the nation.
“The 2023 general election is indeed a defining moment for Nigerians to choose new leaders that will pilot the affairs of the nation in the next four years. Eligible citizens should collect their PVC and vote for candidates of their choice. The destiny of the nation in the next four years will be determined by the competence, credibility and integrity of elected leaders. Nigerians are urged to vote wisely.
“The whole world is watching us as we go to polls on 25th February 2023, to elect the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Council urges local and foreign observers to ensure the polls are transparent and report any malpractices immediately for necessary action, as the National Assembly expedites action on Electoral Offences Commission.
“As the umbrella body of the 18 registered political parties, IPAC will continue its roles in consolidating and deepening our democracy, ensuring an environment conducive for successful elections, political stability, enduring democracy and overall wellbeing of Nigerians. Together, we will build a strong, united, peaceful, progressive and equitable democratic nation.”
