As the people of Edo State prepare to elect a new leader to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki, the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is once again under intense scrutiny. The election build-up has been marred by violent incidents, reports of unlawful arrests, and allegations of voter intimidation, raising questions about the preparedness of political actors and security agencies.
In the midst of these challenges, YIAGA Africa, a prominent pro-democracy organization, has voiced concerns regarding the integrity and competence of both INEC and the security forces overseeing the election. YIAGA Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, emphasized the critical role these institutions will play in ensuring a credible election outcome, particularly in light of irregularities that plagued previous polls.
Reflecting on the controversial 2019 general elections and the highly criticized 2023 presidential election, YIAGA highlighted serious lapses in election management. These included technical issues that hindered real-time result transmission, widespread violence, voter suppression, and allegations of security personnel facilitating electoral malpractices. The group stressed that the success of the Edo election rests on INEC’s ability to uphold transparency and security agencies ensuring a safe, violence-free process.
Itodo, during a recent interview, expressed disappointment that political discourse in the state has become a battle of political heavyweights rather than a focus on addressing the needs of Edo citizens. He warned that without significant reforms, the integrity of the electoral process would remain in jeopardy.
YIAGA Africa has called for INEC and the Nigeria Police to take immediate action to ensure that the election is conducted peacefully, transparently, and with integrity, to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
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