Elections in Nigeria: the Electoral Commission criticized for its poor organization
On February 26, 2023, in Yola, members of the Nigerian Electoral Commission (INEC) check the documents from the previous day's election.
AP - Sunday Alamba
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
While Nigeria waits to know the complete and official results of the polls on Saturday February 25 (presidential, legislative and senatorial), the various national and international observer missions are presenting their reports.
Monday, February 27 in Abuja, the joint mission - National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute - led by former Malawian President Joyce Banda made critical comments about the Electoral Commission.
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With our special correspondent in Abuja,
Amélie Tulet
Almost systematic delays in the opening of polling stations, lack of training for electoral agents, too long waits for official results... For Joyce Banda, former president of Malawi, the Nigerian Electoral Commission (INEC) could and should have
done
better .
“
They made too many promises that they didn't keep.
But what makes me so happy is that Nigerians came out at 5 or 6 in the morning and waited to vote until dark.
This determination is a remarkable example for the entire African continent
,” she said on Monday, February 27, as
the provisional results of the ballot fell in dribs and drabs
.
#NigeriaElections2023 NDI/IRI joint Nigeria elections observation mission.
The @NDI/@IRIglobal Joint Election Observation Mission presented its preliminary statement about the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.
Proud to be part of this successful mission.
pic.twitter.com/8EIh3l9AaK
— HE Dr. Joyce Banda (@DrJoyceBanda) February 27, 2023
A determination of the Nigerians which would have deserved more support and transparency on the part of the organizers of the poll, according to the former American ambassador Mark Green, president of the think tank Wilson Center:
“
Currency and fuel shortages
have placed an excessive burden on voters and election officials.
These logistical problems were predictable and avoidable.
Voters' confidence in the process has been undermined by the commission's lack of transparency.
There have been many missed opportunities to communicate and explain these difficulties.
»
About the incidents and violence which marred the election in places, Mark Green said: “
The signing of a peace agreement between political parties like the one last week should not be just a piece of paper.
It is a commitment for which Nigerians are entitled to demand accountability.
»
Observers are calling on the Nigerian Electoral Commission to review the training of officers and ensure the proper functioning of digital tools for voter identification and real-time transmission of results for the upcoming March 11 gubernatorial elections.
The mission of observers from ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) also presented its first observations.
Like the mission headed by Joyce Banda, the West African mission also notes the lack of representation of women among the candidates.
While Nigerians are still waiting to hear about their new president, social media has been filled with postings related to the poll since Saturday.
Nigerians filmed ballot counting operations to protect their votes or announced the results from their polling stations for comparison with official results.
But there are also photos and videos to denounce irregularities, cases of fraud or violence.
The difficulty is always to find one's way and to sort it out, as Hamzat Lawal reminds us.
This Nigerian activist heads Connected Development, a civil society organization that has deployed 20,000 observers across Nigeria's 36 states.
He speaks at the microphone of our special correspondent in Abuja,
Amélie Tulet
:
“
People should not go too fast in their consumption of what they find on social networks.
They must ensure that whatever information reaches them, the source is identified.
You have to ask yourself if the information is verifiable.
Maybe be patient and wait until the fact-checking organizations have done their job of checking to see if it's factual or false information.
Don't share too quickly!
»
“
The Electoral Commission has not published enough results yet.
Because there's this void, a lot of people are sharing results that aren't verified.
This creates tension and apprehension.
Our fear is that when the results come out in earnest, supporters of the losing candidates will compare the social media results to the official results.
It might create a commotion;
perhaps even violence and demonstrations.
»
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Elections in Nigeria