…urges Commission to release access codes for uploading candidates only to duly authorised party officials
A civil society organisation, Nigeria Electoral Justice Initiative (NEJI) has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission to put an end to the leadership and internal crises rocking many of the opposition political parties in the country in the interest of Nigeria’s democracy.
It also urged INEC to release access codes and credentials for the upload of candidates only to duly authorised and properly designated party officials to protect integrity of the nomination process and prevent avoidable disputes.
Citing the case of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in particular, NEJI’s National President, Comrade Bashir Bello, lamented in a statement that the party remained embroiled in a contest over its authentic leadership, generating widespread public interest and anxiety about the health of Nigeria’s democracy.
NEJI noted that similar crises have continued to rock the other political parties, including the Labour Party and the Social Democratic Party while several other smaller parties continue to struggle for survival in an increasingly difficult political environment.
According to the group, these developments underscore the need for an electoral umpire that is not only impartial but also seen to be so by all stakeholders.
NEJI, therefore, urged INEC to act strictly in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution, its own regulations and the decisions of the courts to effectively end the crises rocking the various opposition political parties.
“As the custodian of electoral integrity, the Commission possesses the records and institutional knowledge necessary to make decisions that will strengthen public confidence in the democratic process,” the statement partly read.
NEJI added that at this critical moment, Nigerians expect INEC to demonstrate its independence by applying the law consistently and transparently to all political parties without fear or favour, stressing that the survival and growth of Nigeria’s democracy depend on institutions that command the trust of the people through fairness, courage and fidelity to the rule of law.
It enjoined INEC to ensure that access codes and credentials for the upload of candidates are entrusted only to duly authorised and properly designated party officials “in order to safeguard the integrity of the nomination process and prevent avoidable disputes that could undermine public confidence in the electoral system.”
NEJI further challenged INEC, noting, “The time to act in defence of democratic values is now.”
