The November 2023 off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi present the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with another opportunity to write its name in gold.
Development Diaries reports that the Bayelsa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Obo Effanga has revealed that results from polling units will be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) for the governorship polls.
Also, the Chairman of INEC, Mahmoud Yakubu, had in a report by This Day noted that the results would be transmitted electronically.
According to him, the governorship election in the three states would be conducted in line with the Electoral Act 2022.
This, however, is not new information to Nigerians, as the commission gave the same assurances ahead of the 2023 general election conducted in February and March, but failed to deliver on its promises.
INEC must understand that the confidence of the electorate has a direct impact on an election’s integrity.
According to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a country cannot be truly democratic until its citizens have the opportunity to choose their representatives through elections that are free and fair.
Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of any thriving democracy. They serve as a fundamental mechanism for the expression of the people’s will and a peaceful transfer of power, ensuring that leaders are accountable to their constituents.
In a democracy, these elections guarantee that every eligible citizen has an equal opportunity to participate, fostering inclusivity and representation.
Moreover, free and fair elections promote transparency, credibility, and trust in the political process, reinforcing the stability and legitimacy of the democratic system.
Development Diaries calls on INEC to ensure that it perfects its preparations for the elections. We also call on the commission to stick to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, as it has promised, to ensure transparency in the process and restore the confidence of Nigerians.
