Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has expressed concern about the undermining of Nigeria’s democracy by the prevalent practice of cross carpeting among political candidates.
Jega insists that any amendment to the 2022 Electoral Act must include provisions to proscribe this phenomenon, which he believes poses a significant threat to the fundamental processes of the nation’s democratic system.
Speaking at the Citizens’ Townhall on Electoral Reforms in Abuja, organized jointly by monitoring group Yiaga Africa and the European Union, Jega, a professor of political science at Bayero University, Kano, emphasized the need for reforms in the electoral landscape.
Beyond addressing cross carpeting, he advocated for the unbundling of INEC and a review of the appointment process for the Chairman and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Commission.
Jega lauded the 2022 Electoral Act as a substantial improvement for the country but emphasized the ongoing necessity for reforms.
He pointed out the challenges posed by candidates switching political parties without consultation, particularly Governors elected under one party moving to another.
Jega stressed that addressing this issue in the new electoral act is crucial to preserving the essence of democracy.
Highlighting additional areas for reform, Jega called for a thorough review of the appointment process for INEC leadership positions.
He proposed legislative backing for a comprehensive screening and verification process to ensure the integrity of individuals in these crucial roles.
Jega also expressed support for the unbundling of INEC, suggesting a careful examination of how candidates are presented for elections to avoid situations where multiple candidates with minimal voter support waste resources.
The town hall meeting saw stakeholders from various sectors echoing the need for reforms, drawing on experiences from recent off-season elections in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa.
Concerns were raised about issues such as vote buying, timelines for resolving election litigations, hate speech, disinformation, and fake news.
Participants stressed the importance of addressing electoral result management, prosecuting electoral offenses, tackling violence, voter suppression, and enhancing election security.
Samsom Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, acknowledged the achievements of the 2022 Electoral Act in reducing over-voting in the 2023 general elections.
However, he emphasized the emergence of new challenges that require continuous attention.
Itodo advocated for the infusion of contemporary technology into the electoral system and encouraged citizen involvement in shaping reforms through a national conversation platform.
As Nigeria navigates the path toward electoral reforms, the insights shared at the Citizens’ Townhall underscore the critical importance of addressing multifaceted challenges to strengthen the democratic process and uphold the integrity of elections in the country.
