As reactions continue to trail the outcome of the just concluded off-cycle elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states, ActionAid Nigeria has called for a post-election audit to assess the successes and challenges of the various elections, providing insights for future improvements.
The organisation in a statement signed by the Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, Monday in Abuja, said strengthening the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) pre- and post-election logistics is crucial, as it requires a reevaluation of the procurement system, from planning to deployment and retrieval.
It says compliance with legal instruments, including the Electoral Act and Guidelines and Procedures, must be stringent, and instances of non-compliance or rule changes in the middle of elections should be addressed.
It, however, raised concerns over the reported irregularities, violence, and the erosion of public trust in the electoral process.
“Despite these assurances, the elections were marred by massive irregularities, including low voter turnout, result falsification, violence, and vote-buying. The low voter turnout may be attributed to the loss of faith in the electoral system across the country, exacerbated by consistent disappointments from the electoral umpire and desperate politicians. The peculiar nature of violence, intimidation, and voter suppression in the three states likely contributed to the low voter turnouts.
“Of great concern is the recorded cases of result falsifications, particularly in Kogi state, where INEC confirmed pre-filled result sheets in five LGAs—Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Mangongo, Okehi, and Okene. INEC collated results from these LGAs without waiting for the outcome of promised investigations, raising doubts about the electoral body’s readiness and competence to conduct free and fair elections. This casts a shadow on INEC’s integrity, neutrality, and independence,” the NGO said.
