The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take a good look at appointments of national commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) into the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Its Convener, Ene Obi, who made this call in Abuja, reminded President Buhari that INEC, as a constituted body, was prepared to deliver credible elections in Nigeria by introducing new and better applications.
She also urged the president to assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022 transmitted to him by the National Assembly without delay.
“Nigerians expect nothing short of what is in the Constitution. Situation Room, therefore, calls on the President to leave indelible improvements in the electoral process by appointing credible people to oversee INEC’s affairs and to assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill 2022, without further delay to enable an environment for fair and credible elections, as we head towards the 2023 general elections.
“Situation Room is reminding President Buhari of the impact a new Electoral Act that reflects current realities on ground. The Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022 has many remarkable provisions to improve the credibility of elections.
“One of the successes of the 2015 elections was the acceptance of the election outcome as credible despite the obstacles to its conduct.
“This is what the citizens want for the 2023 general elections. The Electoral Act Amendment Bill addresses citizens’ concerns over gaps in the electoral legal framework and voting process. The use of technology in elections and electronic transmission of results are expected to eliminate ballot stuffing and snatching, ensure safety of election officials and voters, and reduce apathy by boosting voters’ confidence in elections.
“A new and signed Electoral Act will consolidate all reforms carried out by INEC to improve the electoral process, especially with the introduction of the Bi-modal Voting Accreditation System (BVAS) in the recently concluded Anambra State.
“Personnel and commissioners must have credibility and integrity, as clearly stated in the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for the appointment of National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners…”
