A group of 25 civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to quickly announce new dates for the 2023 general election.

The CSOs, including ActionAid Nigeria, Yiaga Africa, Partners for Electoral Reform (PER), International Press Centre, and Institute for Media and Society, made the call as they commended President Muhammadu Buhari for fulfilling his promise of assenting to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

Also listed as members of the group were the Nigerian Women Trust Fund; The Albino Foundation; Centre for Citizens with Disabilities; Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development; Transition Monitoring Group; and CLEEN Foundation.

Others included the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC); Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC); Nigeria Network of Non-governmental Organisations (NNNGO); Inclusive Friends Association (IFA); Enough is Enough; The Electoral Hub; Centre for Liberty; Take Back Nigeria Movement; International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC); 100 Women Lobby Group; Women in Politics Forum; Raising New Voices; Millennials Active Citizenship Advocacy Africa; and ReadyToLeadAfrica.

The Nigerian leader signed the bill less than a week after one of his media aides, Femi Adesina, assured that the president will assent to it.

He signed the bill barely a week to the expiration of the window the president has to take a decision on the proposed legislation, as required by the country’s constitution.

Buhari had withheld assent to the bill over concerns tied to the recommendation of direct primaries.

The National Assembly later removed the controversial clause and introduced a clause that allows political parties to elect their candidates using direct, indirect or consensus methods.

‘We also commend the National Assembly for their responsiveness in ensuring the bill substantially reflects the will of the Nigerian people and for transmitting same to the president upon citizens’ demands as laid back in January 2022′, the CSOs said in a statement to Development Diaries.

One of the provisions in the new Act stipulates that the election funds due to INEC for any general election are to be released to the commission not later than one year before the next general election.

‘For instance, the new Act requires the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days to the next general election’, the statement read.

Therefore, the new Act requires the electoral umpire, which had fixed 18 February as date for the 2023 general election, to announce new dates for next year’s general election.

‘We call on INEC to as a matter of urgency issue a notice of election and announce new dates for the 2023 General Election’, the CSOs added.

Also, Section 54 stipulates that INEC should take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with disabilities (PWDs) and vulnerable persons are assisted at the polling units.

Section Eight criminalises an act by any individual who misrepresents or fails to disclose their membership, affiliation, or connection to any political party in order to secure an appointment with INEC in any capacity.

The new Act also guarantees electronic transmission of election results, and INEC’s power to review results declared under duress.

The CSOs also called on the National Assembly to ensure gazetted copies of the Electoral Act 2022 are available to citizens and election stakeholders in a timely manner.

‘We note that a delay in this will further reduce the opportunities for citizens and stakeholders to sufficiently familiarise with provisions in the new Act and support its implementation’, they stated.

The group commended Nigerians for their active participation and vigilance in engaging the electoral reform process since inception.

Photo source: Yiaga Africa