Again by March 18, Nigerians head back to the polls, the election which were held on February 25 left a sweet-bitter feeling and many persons had their reservations about the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The governorship race comes into full glare on Saturday, March 18, 2023, when the electorate would be out again to elect a governor for their states as well as members of the State House of Representatives.
This election is very important for the masses as those to be elected are officials who they interact with more closely and cannot afford to get the voting wrong or have anything or anyone undermine the fairness of the process to yield unfavorable results.
Bearing this in mind, here are eight things Nigerians will be expecting from INEC before and after the voting commences.
1. Reliable technology
Nigerians expect INEC to deploy reliable and functional technology for the governorship elections, particularly in the use of card readers and the transmission of results.
2. Adequate testing of technology
The people will need to be assured that INEC has conducted adequate testing of its technology before the governorship elections to ensure that it is working properly and effectively.
3. Proper training for election officials
The electorate will also expect INEC to have provided proper training for election officials, particularly in the use of technology such as card readers and BVAS.
4. Adequate backup systems
It will also be expected that INEC will provide adequate backup systems, particularly in case of any technical failures during the elections.
5. Improved security of technology
So many promises have been made regarding the elections, and as such, Nigerians expect INEC to improve the security of its technology, particularly in preventing hacking and other forms of cyberattacks as some speculated about during the presidential election.
6. Prompt response to technical failures
Perhaps one of the issues encountered in the presidential election was the lack of prompt responses and a slowed communication process especially when issues were raised.
Nigerians on Saturday will expect INEC to have a prompt response plan in case of any technical failures during the elections, to avoid delays and ensure the smooth conduct of the elections.
7. Transparency in addressing failures
As expected, INEC will have to remain transparent in addressing any human or technical failures that may occur during the elections, particularly in providing timely and accurate information about the cause and resolution of such failures.
8. Improved communication with the public
As a follow-up to number 6, Nigerians would want INEC to improve its communication with the electorates and stakeholders, particularly in providing regular updates on the electoral process and any issues that may occur.
‘My confidence in INEC has evaporated’ – Peter Obi
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25, 2023 election, has expressed doubt in the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and fair elections in Nigeria.
Obi made this statement while appearing on Channels Television on Thursday, March 16, 2023, stating that his confidence in the electoral commission has “evaporated” due to its alleged complicity in rigging the recent elections in some states.
Obi, who is also a former governor of Anambra State, called on INEC to review its processes and ensure that the votes of Nigerians count in future elections.
He also criticised the use of violence and other forms of intimidation during elections, saying that such actions undermine the democratic process and the rights of citizens to choose their leaders.
Obi’s statement comes amid increasing concerns over the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, with many stakeholders calling for urgent reforms to address the challenges facing the system.
The Labour Party presidential candidate urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and actively participate in the democratic process, while holding the electoral commission and other institutions accountable for their actions.
As the country prepares for future elections, including gubernatorial polls in some states later this year, the need for a credible and transparent electoral process has become more urgent than ever before.
