ActionAid proffers solutions to election challenges in Nigeria

 By: Manoah Kikekon

A civil society group, ActionAid Nigeria, has suggested various amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 and ways to make electioneering process better in Nigeria.

This was disclosed on Wednesday at a one-day meeting titled: Citizens' capacity building on the electoral act, judicial processes, and political processes, held at Ikeja, Lagos State.

At the meeting involving over 50 participants from various parts of the state, participants pointed out various shortcomings of the 2023 elections and the electoral act 2022 and suggested ways to make the subsequent election better.

The participants suggested that:

1. There should be clear provisions for People With Disabilities PWD in the electoral act.

2. The electoral act should accommodate poling units where violent occurred and state what should be done in such cases.

3. The seating government should not appoint judges, and the CJN

4. INEC should be more independent to enhance total transparency.

5. The government should intensify awareness as to why people should be part of the election process.

6. Nigerians should be able to vote anywhere, regardless of where their voter card is registered.

7. Security in the poling unit should be improved to build the confidence of the people.

8. The government should make sure those who violated electoral laws are brought to book.

Adesuwa Iluobe, a lawyer who anchored the meeting, said there is a need for Nigerians to know the laws guiding the electoral process and its aftermath, as this will help Nigerians better understand the outcome of election petitions.

Adding that "the citizens have a role to play in the election petition process, and this will be possible when they know the laws guiding the process, as judges will not judge based on social media evidence or comments,"

"The amendment process of the electoral act should start now to avoid various lacunae or omissions that were discovered in the 2022 electoral act," she added.

ActionAid in 2023 Election

ActionAid deployed 510 observers across the country during the February 25, 2023, general election, and reports were compiled indicating various shortcomings of the INEC and security officers.

Part of the observations included cases of late arrival of INEC staff and election materials, arrival of INEC staff at polling units without security personnel, and reported cases of disruption and violence in some polling units in Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, and Enugu states, as well as the FCT.

The report read in part, “Our field observation reveals the following: Evidence of late arrival of INEC staff and election materials in many polling units, with some polling stations opening as late as 11.30am, such as in Rivers State, Ward 17 under Obio/Akpor LGA, and Okumagba II in Warri South, Olodi Primary School, Delta State, at 2.30pm.

“Reported cases of disruptions and violence in Dekina LGA, Kogi State, and in Ikpanya Ward in Ibio Ibom LGA of Akwa Ibom where thugs disrupt and destroy electoral materials. Ballot boxes in two polling units in Mafoluku by Ijaiye area, Lagos, were reportedly burnt, and some INEC’s ad hoc staff were assaulted for reportedly being involved in some electoral offences, leading to disruptions in some polling units in places like Abakpa, Enugu State, and Lugbe in FCT.

“Regrettably, the voter turnout for the election was low; it is obvious that voter apathy has set in given what happened during the last election."

2023 Presidential Election Petition

After the 2023 general election, former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu won 37 percent of the vote, beating Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party to secure the presidency of Africa’s most populous nation. This was disputed, and petitions were filed in court.

Nigeria’s presidential election tribunal ruled on Wednesday that Nigeria’s main opposition parties failed to prove claims of electoral malpractice against the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) in February’s disputed elections.

“This petition is hereby declared unmeritorious,” one of the judges said, as the tribunal rejected the opposition challenge to Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s win in the presidential election.