The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, has called for the establishment of an independent national electoral reform panel to make elections more credible in the country.
Yunusa Yau, the Convener of the coalition of CSOs made the call at a news conference in Abuja.
“This call is being made in the light of the Situation Room’s observation of 2023 General Elections, off-cycle Governorship elections and the continuing decline of citizens confidence to manage elections, ”he said.
Yau said that it is a follow up of the society`s report of the 2023 general elections, and is demanding for urgent reforms to re-ignite citizens’ confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“A post 2023 general election survey recently conducted by the Situation Room exposed a significant dip in citizens’ confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Citizens now query the ability of INEC to conduct credible elections in the country,“
The convener said that Situation Room was worried about the conduct, and credibility of the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States in November 2023.
“Given the need for urgent action to be taken regarding INEC, Situation Room is calling for an independent national electoral reform panel to be set up urgently by President Bola Tinubu.
“Situation Room is not in any way tying its call to the outcome of the 2023 general elections, nor would we consider that this panel represents a question surrounding the results of the 2023 general elections.
“Nevertheless, Situation Room’s call is a national call to help salvage Nigeria’s electoral process,”he said
Yau said that the independent panel would need to work freely without interference from the INEC as presently constituted.
He said that the membership of the panel should comprise independent election experts, and stakeholders who would review the logistical, legal and administrative shortcomings of INEC.
Yau said that the members would as well make additional reform recommendations.
He said that the panel should also recommend the best, least expensive paths to creating and maintaining a credible Voter Register for the country, amongst other issues.
