The Electoral Forum (TEF), a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), has expressed concerned about the upcoming off-season governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. . They are urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fully restore electoral processes to prevent election results from being determined by the courts.
The Chairman of the forum, Prof. Adebayo Olukoshi and other members made the call at the 12th technical session of TEF, saying this would contribute to credible elections as well as strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
The forum’s technical session also considered the implications of the Supreme Court verdicts regarding the outcome of governorship elections in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa states, expresses concern at the level of decline in electoral processes against democratic process.
The communiqué of the session said that the group explored the impact of recent Supreme Court judgements on State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and Local Government elections, alongside the significance of the recent changes in the Supreme Court’s leadership.
While examining the verdicts of the Apex Court, it noted that the legal threshold for proving substantial non-compliance in election petitions remains a significant challenge for petitioners, making it difficult to overturn questionable election results.
The group also expressed concern about the increasing involvement of the judiciary in electoral outcomes, noting that the Supreme Court will keep being embedded in elections as long as politicians refuse to play by electoral rules and evolve a sound political culture.
It, however, commended the recent Supreme Court judgement on direct funding to Local Government Areas (LGAs), saying that the landmark ruling marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s fiscal federalism, with far-reaching implications for state/local government relations and the conduct of local elections.
It said the judgement aims to strengthen local governance, but also presents new challenges, noting that some state governments may face substantial reductions in their allocations, potentially up to 77% in some cases.
“This shift in resource allocation necessitates a reimagining of state-local government relationships and calls for innovative approaches to governance at both levels,” it said.
Deliberations also focused on the potential role of the INEC in local government elections.
“The current electoral system was critically examined, with suggestions for reforms including a possible shift to a mixed electoral system and broadening the scope of acceptable voter identification methods,” the forum said.
They noted the persistent challenges in the electoral process, including violations of electoral guidelines and issues with result collation and announcement, while calling for enhanced oversight and strict enforcement of electoral rules.
It called for stronger regulatory oversight by INEC and the reinforcement of internal democracy within political parties to prevent the manipulation of electoral outcomes.
The forum called for the establishment of a formal framework for collaboration between INEC and SIECs to improve the quality of local elections.
“Reform the judicial system with an emphasis on merit-based appointments and clear timelines for resolving electoral disputes. Explore the adoption of a mixed electoral system to enhance representativeness and inclusive politics.
“In furtherance of proposed reforms, the Forum tasks the INEC to invest in innovative technology for voter registration, voting, and result transmission to enhance transparency and reduce electoral fraud.
“Implement strict campaign finance regulations and anti-vote buying measures to curb electoral malpractices. Enforce internal party democracy and transparent candidate selection processes within political parties.
“Introduce measures to increase the participation and representation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process. Integrate comprehensive civic education into school curricula and launch nationwide campaigns to foster a stronger democratic culture,” the communique said.
It also called for the integration of comprehensive civic education into school curricula and launch nationwide campaigns to foster a stronger democratic culture.
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