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The Edo state governorship election has become a litmus test for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s ability to organize a transparent and violence-free poll, as the state’s residents decide on Governor Godwin Obaseki’s replacement. The electoral commission’s reputation and credibility are at stake.
The pre-election landscape in Edo state has been marred by disturbing incidents of violence, illegal detentions, and allegations of coercion, casting a shadow over the democratic process and raising fears that political actors may be prioritizing conflict over peaceful competition.
As economic hardship threatens to impact voter turnout, YIAGA Africa has highlighted a more profound concern: the ability of INEC and security agencies to maintain electoral integrity, safeguard against manipulation, and uphold democratic principles.
In its latest briefing, Yiaga Africa, a leading pro-democracy group, has identified key parameters for ensuring a free and fair Edo state governorship election.
Notably, the group stresses that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), law enforcement agencies, and security personnel will play pivotal roles in determining the election’s outcome.
The credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process remains a pressing concern, as YIAGA highlights the alarming irregularities that characterized the 2019 and 2023 polls. The fallout from these elections, particularly the contentious 2019 outcome that favored APC, continues to undermine confidence in INEC’s ability to ensure a free and fair vote.
Read also: APC Accuses 3 INEC Staff Of Plot To Compromise Edo Polls
Nigeria’s 2023 general elections will be remembered as a low point in the country’s electoral history, with INEC’s handling of the polls severely damaging its reputation.
The commission’s claims of technical issues during the presidential result transmission, followed by a hasty declaration of a winner despite widespread reports of violence, voter suppression, and irregularities, have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process The electoral process was severely compromised when uniformed individuals were caught on camera hijacking ballot boxes or shielding thugs dispatched to polling stations to orchestrate chaos.
Furthermore, the egregious irregularities that marred the Kogi and Imo gubernatorial elections continue to haunt the public conscience.
Given INEC and security agencies’ checkered past in managing elections, YIAGA Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, emphasized that their performance will make or break the success of today’s Edo state polls.
In a televised interview, Samson Itodo outlined six critical considerations for the impending election. He asserted that the campaign has morphed into a high-stakes showdown between influential politicians, overshadowing meaningful discussions about the issues and neglecting the welfare of Edo state’s citizens.
