Inaugurating the Panel, Late President Yar’adua tasked the committee to work out a process that would enable the conduct of elections to meet acceptable international standard and make the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) truly independent in name and deed with a view to imbuing it with administrative and financial autonomy and a mechanism to reduce post-election tensions. This is by ensuring the resolution of election disputes before the inauguration of elected officials.
To meet the targets set up by the then President and the entire citizenry with respect to elections in Nigeria , the Panel which had notable Nigerians toured the entire country to demand the input of Nigerians to electoral reform. As expected, the Panel submitted its report to Late President Yar'Adua and subsequently, electoral related bills were forwarded to the National Assembly which brought amendment to relevant sections of 2006 Electoral Act and 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In line with the reform to the nation's electoral process, the immediate past President, Doctor Goodluck Jonathan appointed the former Vice Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano and one-time President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Professor Muhammad Attahiru Jega as the Chairman of INEC on the thirtieth of June, 2010.
Professor Jega, a very calm, bold, courageous, patriotic and intellectual Nigerian distinguished himself from past Chairmen of electoral body in the history of the country by allowing the wishes of Nigeria to reflect on the outcome of the polls and restore public confidence to the electoral process.
The Don conducted two successful elections that take Nigeria more closer to advanced democracies of the world in conducting elections with minimal irregularities, minimal litigation and appreciable outcome adjudged as credible by both local and international observers. Without shadow of doubt, Professor Jega defied all odds to consolidate on the achievements made by the Commission in twenty-eleven by conducting a more transparent, credible, free and fair 2015 polls.
It is on record that Muhammad Attahiru Jega, a Professor of Political Science introduced the use of the Permanent Voter Card and Card Reader machines, starting with the twenty-fifteen general election. The machine no doubt improved the integrity of the last elections by verifying the fingerprint of the eligible voter and the code on the chip of a card. Thus, Permanent Voter Card and the use of card readers must be sustained in a move towards technological advancement and electronic voting in the future.
The role played by the Media, Civil Society Organisations and security agencies during the sojourn of Professor Jega at the INEC must also be acknowledged and appreciated to the conduct of internationally adjudged credible polls in Nigeria. The Media as the watchdog of the must step up advocacy on voter education and the need for all stakeholders to allow the wishes of Nigerians to at all times reflect on the outcome of elections.
President Muhammadu Buhari should further assist the electoral body in consolidating on its previous successful outings by injecting more non-partisan, competent, committed and God-fearing individuals into the Commission in order to improve the electoral process and strengthen the nation's democracy.
The INEC should equally begin the preparation in earnest for some staggered states elections as well as the 2019 general elections in order to avoid some noticeable challenges of late arrival of materials, functionality of card reader machines, alleged compromise by some officials of INEC as well as update of voter register to accommodate more eligible voters.
Abdulrosheed Okiki
No comments:
Post a Comment