Afrigather
A coalition of the Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria on Tuesday took a protest to the nationwide headquarters of the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), asking the Chairman of the Fee, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to resignation his place instantly.
The coalition, an umbrella discussion board comprising 18 organisations, additionally demanded a probe of potential causes INEC underneath Prof. Mahmoud Yakub failed Nigerians and Africa’s largest democracy earlier than and in the course of the simply concluded election.
Addressing newsmen in the course of the protest on the Maitama headwaters of the INEC, convener of the coalition Dada Olayinka, mentioned Nigerians won’t settle for any foisting of a compromised election on the nation.
The Coalition is made up of 18 CSOs amongst that are Civil Society Discussion board of Nigeria, Nigeria Youth Growth Discussion board, Democratic Youth Initiative, Discussion board for Social Justice, Motion for the Growth of Democracy and Safeguard Nigeria Motion.
Others are Alliance for Individuals’s Welfare, Ahead Nigeria Motion, Human Proper Crusaders, Defenders of Democracy, Democratic Rights Meeting and Voter’s Rights Meeting.
Based on the protesters, previous to the election, INEC had promised that their workers are properly educated, motivated and phycologically ready for the duty and importantly assured Nigerians that election outcomes can be transmitted electronically to their server from the polling models throughout the 176, 846 obtainable.
“INEC claimed the BVAS expertise was going to be successfully deployed to forestall rigging and over voting. These had been main pillar upon which Nigerians anchored their pleasure and perception within the means of electing their leaders.
“Nonetheless, occasions throughout and after the elections would later show that INEC carried out beneath expectations and pulled the wool over the eyes of Nigerians: Over 93.5 million Nigerians had been registered for the February 2023 election, solely 23% of the whole determine had been capable of vote. That is decrease than earlier elections.
“Late distribution of election supplies. Whereas many had hoped to maximally make the most of the usage of BVAS expertise for straightforward accreditation and eventual voting thereby growing participation, the BVAS expertise was both deployed recently or bypassed in lots of polling models thereby disenfranching a big majority. In lots of different areas, individuals who had arrived polling models forward of time couldn’t get pleasure from voting rights as a consequence of non funtionality and or inexperienced operation of the BVAS by largely untrained Adhoc workers.
“In locations BVAS labored effectively, there have been reported instances of over voting in lots of centres resulting in denial of voter’s rights. Many votes didn’t rely.
“Giant scale violence orchestrated by political thugs supported by some determined candidates who knew it was inconceivable for them to win free and honest elections thereby resulting in cancellation of outcomes.
“Non transmission of outcomes from polling models to the INEC server and the non performance of the Irev the place Nigerians would have had alternative to observe outcomes actual time and precisely.
“Non adherence to the principles set by INEC itself for the conduct of the election.
“Compromise of the method by some adhoc/workers of INEC and Poll snatching.
“In view of above, it’s apparent that INEC deceived Nigerians into believing it was prepared for the election whereas the fee was sick ready regardless of over 300 billion naira of tax payers cash the fee obtained to conduct the elections.”
Olayinka additionally alleged potential manipulation of election outcomes on the polling models as a consequence of non transmission in actual time.
“It’s secure subsequently to conclude that INEC not solely carried out the worst election thus far in Nigeria’s historical past however blatantly took the individuals for a journey. INEC additionally flagrantly disobeyed its personal guidelines and laws and disregarded the provisions of the electoral act.
The 2023 election can’t subsequently be adjudged to be free, honest, credible and clear.
“The Coalition of Civil Societies of Nigeria, an umbrella discussion board comprising 18 others calls for speedy resignation of Prof. Mahmoud Yakub and likewise total cancellation of the sham outcomes introduced by him.
“We align with the observations of overseas missions notably the EU, AU, ECOWAS and others who’ve all ascertained that INEC failed to satisfy the credibility required in discharging her duties. The UK, US and different superior democracies/governments and all lovers of democracy have additionally willingly expressed their views that the election fell in need of a outstanding credible check.
Nigerians are discontented with the poor and unprofessional dealing with of delicate project reminiscent of this which empowers them to freely select leaders of their selection and enthrone common authorities.
“We additionally demand a probe of potential causes INEC underneath Prof. Mahmoud Yakub failed Nigerians and Africa’s largest democracy. Nigerians won’t settle for any foisting of a compromised election on the nation.”
