Civil Society For Good Governance (CSO) has criticized the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the recently conducted Presidential and National Assembly elections held on February 25th.
The organization at a press conference to formally express its position on the matter said the actions of Professor Mahmoud Yakubu-led INEC undermined President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise of holding free, fair, and credible elections.
Akindele Lawson and Ayo Ologun, who spoke on behalf of the group said INEC failed to adhere to critical provisions of the amended Electoral Act, with reports of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) challenges, delays in upholding results, and excuses for server hitches.
The organization also alleged cases of voter intimidation in some parts of the country, where people were allegedly prevented from voting, and INEC was silent throughout the election. The delay in uploading results to the INEC Portal was also a major concern, with fears that it provided politicians with opportunities to alter election results.
The Civil Society For Good Governance (CSO) warned INEC not to undermine the will of Nigerians, particularly in the coming days when Nigerians will be out again to elect Governors and members of the States houses of Assembly.
“There were also cases of outright voter intimidation in parts of the country, particularly, where people were allegedly prevented from voting, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was silent on the occurrences throughout the election.
“Most worrisome are the delay in uploading results to the INEC Portal which was deliberate; to provide politicians opportunities to alter the election results.
“Last Saturday’s conduct of INEC, is unacceptable and should not be allowed. We warn INEC not to undermine the will of Nigerians, particularly in the coming days that Nigerians will be out again, elect Governors and members of the States houses of Assembly.
“As a stakeholder in the process, we had high hopes that INEC would do a good job, unfortunately, it appears that the electoral body was not prepared to conduct credible elections and the body language of Prof Yakubu suggest this.
CSO urged Nigerians not to be discouraged but to increase their zeal toward ensuring the survival of the country’s democracy. It also criticized Professor Yakubu for pouring scorn on his reputation and that of INEC.
