INEC Wakes Up to Review 2023 Election Activities
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has initiated a comprehensive review of its activities following the February 25 presidential election. This move is seen by many as an attempt to regain relevance after facing widespread criticism for its failure to deliver on promises of technologically driven elections.
During the election, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu assured the public of the reliability of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), which were intended to facilitate real-time uploading of election results. However, the commission encountered technical glitches and later invoked legal provisions to justify its inability to fulfill these promises.
Despite admitting to challenges with the IReV and the poor implementation of the presidential election, INEC faced further criticism for accepting apparent mutilated results and hindering access to primary evidence. The commission’s credibility was questioned, and calls for the chairman’s resignation grew.
To salvage its reputation, INEC recently announced stakeholder engagements and rolled out activities aimed at restoring public trust. However, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) further undermined the commission’s credibility by identifying areas for improvement in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In response, INEC criticized the EU observers’ assessment, considering it unfair and uncharitable. The commission defended its performance, highlighting the registration of over 93 million Nigerians and the positive feedback on voter accreditation. It acknowledged challenges caused by insecurity, violence, fuel scarcity, and currency issues.
As INEC undertakes its review, the focus will be on learning from past mistakes, engaging stakeholders, and implementing actionable recommendations. The commission aims to strengthen its institutional capacity and enhance processes and procedures in preparation for upcoming off-season governorship elections.
Overall, INEC’s review presents an opportunity for the commission to regain public confidence and rectify its shortcomings ahead of future elections.