2023 Elections: EU Faults INEC's Lack Of Transparency, Damaged Trust - FOREFRONT NG 2023 elections, Damaged Trust, EU, Faults, INEC, Lack Of Transparency

Advocates real-time publication and access to election results
Laments impunity regarding electoral offenses
Seeks greater protection for media practitioners
Decries discrimination against women in political life
Notes positives, to assist Commission in enhancing processes

BY EDMOND ODOK – The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for disappointing Nigerians and ensuring the 2023 general elections failed the acid test of a well-run, transparent, and inclusive democratic process

The Observers Group said despite repeated assurances by the Commission, the electoral process was encumbered by crucial gaps in terms of its accountability and transparency, noting that shortcomings in the law and electoral administration hindered the conduct of well-run and inclusive elections.

Specifically noting the damaged trust in INEC, the EU EOM, which released its final report in Abuja on Tuesday, said public confidence and trust in the Electoral umpire were severely damaged during the presidential poll and were not restored in state-level elections, leading civil society to call for an independent audit of the entire process.

Part of the report read; “The widely welcomed Electoral Act 2022 (the 2022 Act) introduced measures aimed at building stakeholder trust. However, the Act’s first test in a general election revealed crucial gaps in terms of INEC’s accountability and transparency, proved to be insufficiently elaborated, and lacked clear provisions for timely and efficient implementation.

“In the lead-up to the 2023 general elections, Nigerian citizens demonstrated a clear commitment to the democratic process. That said, the election exposed enduring systemic weaknesses and therefore signal a need for further legal and operational reforms to enhance transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability.

“Weak points include a lack of INEC independent structures and capacities to enforce sanctions for electoral offences and breaches of campaign finance rules. Furthermore, the presidential selection of INEC leadership at the federal and state level leaves the electoral institution vulnerable to the perception of partiality.

The Mission further stated that; “Closer to the polls, some started to doubt INEC’s administrative and operational efficiency and in-house capacity. Public confidence gradually decreased and was severely damaged on 25 February due to its operational failures and lack of transparency”, adding; “While some corrective measures introduced before the 18 March elections were effective, overall trust was not restored.”

The Chief Observer of EU EOM, Barry Andrews, who addressed the media in Abuja said “At the invitation of the Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria, the EU EOM carried out its work between 11 January and 11 April”, adding that “A delegation of the European Parliament joined the EU EOM for the observation of the Presidential and National Assembly elections. The mission accredited a total of 110 observers from 25 EU Member States, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and Canada.”

According to him; “Following a three-month-long observation across Nigeria, and in accordance with its usual practice, the EU EOM is now pleased to present its findings and recommendations. Shortcomings in law and electoral administration hindered the conduct of well-run and inclusive elections and damaged trust in INEC.

“With the aim of contributing to the improvement of future elections, the EU EOM is offering 23 recommendations for consideration by the Nigerian authorities. We are particularly concerned about the need for reform in six areas which we have identified as priority recommendations, and we believe, if implemented, could contribute to improvements for the conduct of elections”.

Andrews said the six priority recommendations highlight the need to “(1) remove ambiguities in the law; (2) establish a publicly accountable selection process for INEC members; (3) ensure real-time publication of and access to election results; (4) provide greater protection for media practitioners; (5) address discrimination against women in political life, and; (6) impunity regarding electoral offenses.”

The Chief Observer further noted thus; “Importantly, there is a need for political will to achieve improved democratic practices in Nigeria. Inclusive dialogue between all stakeholders on electoral reform remains crucial. The European Union stands ready to support Nigerian stakeholders in the implementation of these recommendations.”

In his reaction to the EU report, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said: “We are going to harmonise all the reports by international observers that have been presented and we are going to look at the reports holistically.”

He told journalists after the presentation; “From the report presented, the EU made mention of the fact that there have been significant improvements in our electoral process and there have been so many positives to this particular election.

“One of the positives is that we registered over 93 million Nigerians during this election. Not only that, if you look at the reports submitted by international observers, in terms of voters accreditation, the BVAS performed optimally.”

However, the INEC Commissioner acknowledged the challenges identified by the Observers Group, assuring that recommendations made by international observers would be looked at and duly implemented where necessary.