The outcome of the Edo State governorship election highlights how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has once more failed to restore the trust of Nigerians in the electoral process.
Development Diaries reports that Yiaga Africa, in its post-election statement on the September 2024 governorship polls, noted that the election failed the integrity test/standards.
The performance of INEC in the election has raised significant concerns regarding transparency and the integrity of the electoral process.
Despite the commission’s efforts to ensure a credible election, reports from Yiaga Africa’s observers indicate that the commission’s management of election day processes fell short in key areas.
Notably, incidences of vote buying and polling unit disruptions, coupled with inconsistencies in the official results from critical local government areas like Oredo, Egor, and Esan West, highlight potential manipulation of results during collation.
These issues call into question the ability of INEC to deliver a transparent and trustworthy election process, a key factor in maintaining public confidence in democratic institutions.
INEC’s role in ensuring electoral integrity is crucial to fostering trust between the government and its citizens.
When discrepancies in results are observed, and no immediate corrective action is taken, it sends a message of complacency or complicity in electoral malpractice.
It also further deepens the existing mistrust in governmental institutions and the electoral process, which could lead to voter apathy and an overall weakening of democratic engagement.
To rebuild trust, INEC must address these issues and take proactive measures to improve the transparency of election results.
Development Diaries joins Yiaga Africa in calling on INEC to urgently clarify the inconsistencies in the results from Oredo, Egor, and Esan West areas while investigating the officials responsible for result manipulation.
Also, INEC must issue comprehensive guidelines on the review of results and establish a clear process for citizens and political parties to lodge complaints.
Photo source: INEC Nigeria
