TMG counsels INEC to redeem itself, punish electoral offenders
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Today’s governorship and state Assembly elections are a good opportunity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to claw back its image dented by the federal elections, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has said.
TMG Chairman Auwal Rafsanjani counselled the INEC to ensure smooth distribution of election materials, use Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, and immediately upload results on the iReV portal from polling units.
“Once again, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is promising a smooth electioneering process.
“INEC has been granted judicial leeway to reconfigure the … BVAS device, and promised to use the device judiciously to deliver its mandate having learnt from the shortcomings of the 25th February 2023 elections,” Rafsanjani said in a statement.
“INEC is also promising to ensure that the INEC Result Viewing (iReV) portal will deliver real time results.
“Moreover, it has noted the hiccups associated with the distribution of electoral materials on the day of the election and promised that the gubernatorial and State Assemblies’ elections will be a different ball game.
“While TMG commends these promises, it urges INEC to live up to its words this time around as TMG maintains that its performance in this regard in the Presidential Election was abysmal.
“TMG believes that delayed commencement of voting as a result of the late arrival of INEC officials and incomplete setting up of polling units should not be part of the 18th March 2023 story.
“Furthermore, the display of ballot papers by highly placed individuals as seen in the last elections should be discouraged.”
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Need to punish electoral offenders
TMG urged security agencies to work with the INEC to ensure security issues in the February 25 election do not recur, and security agencies to be more effective in discharging their duties, according to reporting by Tribune.
It also implored Nigerians to come out and vote, the INEC to adhere strictly to the Electoral Act, and ensure electoral offenders are punished in line with the law.
“As an aftermath of the 25th February 2023 election, TMG is observing different actions, comments and inactions of those directly or indirectly involved in the elections such as political parties, their candidates and their supporters.
“In some states, citizens are being threatened on their perceived choice to exercise their franchise overtly and covertly.
“In states such as Lagos, Abia, Bauchi, Kano and Rivers for instance, citizens are being threatened, intimidated and harassed on the perception of supporting political opponents.
“Therefore, security agencies are urged to up their game and support INEC, election observers and other law-abiding citizens to ensure that hoodlums and political thugs do not have their way to disenfranchise citizens.”
TMG commended the “professionalism displayed by the security agencies” in the presidential election and urged security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission officials, to double their efforts at maintaining peace and in reducing the incidence of vote trading.
“The Transition Monitoring Group continues to commend the enthusiasm demonstrated by the Nigerian citizens and commend their good conduct and orderly behaviour in the 25th February 2023 elections.
“TMG has carried out sensitisation and awareness creation rallies in the states urging the electorate to shun apathy and come out again en masse to cast and defend their votes through all legal and peaceful means.
“There must be strict adherence to the Electoral Act 2022 by everyone involved in the electioneering process.
“Electoral offenders of any kind must be punished under the laws of the country to dissuade others from perpetrating electoral offences in Nigeria.”