She explained that the emergence of strong parties, fielding strong candidates in keenly contested elections with narrow margins; evidence based elections with the use of technology especially use of the Smart Card Reader and the e-Track leading to a more transparent process are some of the indicators of a stronger electoral process.
Commissioner Amina Zakari further explained that additional checks and balances such as the source of ad-hoc election personnel, customized sensitive materials and increased awareness and application of electoral laws and INEC guidelines (Section 53 of 2010 Electoral Act as amended-which deals with over voting and section 26 which deals with postponement due to threat of violence and other emergencies) all make the process better.
The National Commissioner made the points yesterday while speaking at a Round Table dialogue, Themed: “Trends of Inconclusive Elections and the Challenge of Strengthening the Electoral Process” organized by the Electoral Institute with support from Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation at the Electoral Institute auditorium, Abuja.
She averred that: “faced with circumstances and armed with the legal provisions, INEC in an attempted to be fair to all, and to move away from the established syndrome of “announce the result at any cost and leave it to the courts”, usually invokes the relevant sections to declare elections inconclusive pending determination of the winner through supplementary elections”.
Commissioner Amina Zakari who was also the Chairman of the occasion, noted that on the negative side, politicians and their followers are changing tactics, as it is becoming obvious that elections are not business as usual as such they embark on:
“Direct intimidation of voters and INEC staff not to use the Smart Card Reader to force over voting; perpetrate violence through the use of weapons including guns to scare away voters in an attempt to influence outcome of elections; disruption/ obstruction of elections in an opponent’s stronghold by whatsoever means possible and infiltrating the system through attempts at bribing election officials.”
She recommended that in finding solutions to the phenomenon called inconclusive elections, attention should not be directed towards INEC alone. She implored all stakeholders to explore avenues of dealing with the issues from all perspectives including advocacy and other voter outreach programs.
“We need to urgently change the public perception of the 'INEC' as ‘Inconclusive Election Management Body.’ We must strengthen partnerships between INEC and all relevant stakeholders including the academia to assist in research and training,” she urged.
In a brief remark, Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Electoral and Political Party Affairs, Hon. Aishatu Jibrin Dukku said that the forum was to brainstorm on the issue of inconclusive elections. She expressed optimism that participants would be better informed at the end of the discussion about inconclusive elections.
Hon. Dukku noted that inconclusive elections are also positive result of the electorate getting more enlightened and better informed, adding that “the solution to inconclusive elections will come, if all stakeholders are determined to get involved. We must not lose lives because of elections”.
The Roundtable was well attended by INEC staff, members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), representatives of various security agencies, Political Parties, Development Partners and other invited guests.
Lead speakers and their topics include: Professor William A. Fawole; Politics as War, Elections as Combat: interrogating the Fundamentals of Inconclusive Elections in Nigeria, ” Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo: “Paralysis of Inconclusive Elections: Legal and Political Subterfuge.” And Professor Habu Mohammed: Inconclusive Elections in Nigeria: “Engendering or Endangering Electoral Process?”
Prof. Fawole while speaking said, “In Nigeria, electoral contests have taken on the nature and character of warfare. This is because capturing the political power of the state is the ultimate objective being fought for. It is in this context that electoral contests are regarded as mortal combat activities for which the opposing gladiators are willing to fight, kill or be killed.
“The most current spate of inconclusive elections, about 13 since November 2015 that we are witnessing is the fallout or consequence of politicians’ inability to rig, manipulate elections and have the outcomes they desire the way they were accustomed to.
“There is no doubt in my mind that what we are witnessing is deliberately contrived to frustrate INEC, sow doubts in its credibility as an efficient election management body, so that politicians and their respective political parties can get the outcomes they desire, by hook or crook.”
He however charged INEC to address its own inefficiencies, which according to him are paramount in the overall integrity and acceptance of electoral process.
“INEC on its own part must seriously address and resolve its institutional, administrative, operational and logistical lapses and shortcomings to always ensure efficient and hitch-free election administration. Impartiality and transparency (including timely and adequate preparations) on the part of INEC is indispensable to effective election administration. It must endeavour to recruit officials of proven and unimpeachable character, monitor the conduct of its officials by allowing civil society involvement. This is because the impartiality, efficiency, openness and transparency with which INEC performs its functions will determine the overall integrity and acceptability of the electoral process that will eventually deepen the liberal democracy,” he posited.
Prof. Habu Mohammed of Department of Political Science, Bayero University, Kano in his paper, “inconclusive elections in Nigeria: Promoting or endangering electoral process said, “the number of inconclusive elections in recent times is unrivalled in the history of electoral management in the country, and this has opened up a new vista in the county’s political development.
“Undoubtedly, it is not the number of inconclusive election per se that matters most in Nigeria, but the circumstances that lead to it, which are majorly the result of electoral irregularities, electoral violence, court orders and other related electoral infractions
“By all accounts the declaration of election as inconclusive raises more questions than answers, particularly at the time when the expectations of Nigerians about democratic consolidation are high.“
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