March 22, 2023

Following the just concluded governorship and House of Assembly elections in Nigeria, the Justice Development and Peace Centre, JDPC, Community Life Project, CLP, and Caritas Nigeria have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to live up to its mandate as an institution funded with public funds.

The NGOs while presenting their report in a joint press conference on Tuesday in Lagos, on the March 18, 2023 elections, noted that the elections were marred by widespread violence and voter aparthy, occasioned by threats and intimidations of voters, adding that the elections have not met the conditions to be said to be free, fair and transparent. 

Speaking on their findings, Rev. Father Raymond Anoliefo, ED JDPC, Lagos, said “voter privacy was deliberately violated  by thugs and party supporters who in full view of INEC officials and the police were watching as people cast their ballots in order to confirm that they voted for the ruling party in the State”.

On her part, the ED, CLP, Ngozi Iwere, noted that there was widespread vote buying across over 14 states and this was done with so much impunity, as also there was gross misconduct and abuse of power on the part of duty bearers.

For the Nations Director, Caritas, Joe Nkamuke, he said the groups recommend that INEC must be willing to submit itself to independent accountability processes, post-election.

“The Commission must be willing and seen to take concrete steps to investigate cases of gross violation of the electoral Act and Guidelines whether by its staff, political actors, security personnel or citizens and ensure that offenders are brought to book, timely and expeditiously.”