PROMOTING PARTNERSHIP FOR CREDIBLE ELECTIONS

BY LIVY UNIGWE

Election Administration is a critical and tasking exercise which evokes diverse political interests and expectations. THIS IS WHY electoral bodies strive to partner with stakeholders in the electoral process to achieve credible elections. These stakeholders range from political parties, security agencies, THE mass media, organized labour, women and youth organization, religious bodies, THE Nigeria Bar Association and OTHER RELEVANT BODIES. In 2005, INEC established the stakeholders Election Forum in all the States and the FCT. The Forum was conceived as a formidable platform for cross fertilization of ideas to foster a transparent electoral process where the power to elect government rests squarely on the people.

But SOME credible and patriotic Nigerians had shunned several invitation by INEC, to help carry out sensitive electoral duties. In one instance, a retired chief Judge offered to serve DURING the 2007 general election. BUT he later withdrew FOLLOWING alleged threat to his life by undisclosed politicians. Many other examples abound. THEREFORE, when INEC is confronted with SUCH realities it is bound to engage ad-hoc personnel whose pedigree may not easily be ascertained given the limited time frame. Politicians ON THE OTHER HAND blame every lapses that OCCUR IN the electoral process on INEC irrespective of whether such criticisms were justifiable or not. The penchant for name calling and BUCK passing has become ready weapons used by detractors to ridicule INEC, thereby cleverly diverting attention from the huge failures and misdeeds of the other prominent players in the democratic process.

Acts of thuggery, ballot box snatching, intimidation of political opponents and voters during election and flagrant abuse of due process resulting in imposition of candidates are injustices that affect credible election. As the nation approaches another round of electioneering in 2011, IT IS NECESSARY for the political parties to return to their cardinal role of mass political education as enunciated in their manifestoes, symbols and voting procedure; and ensure zero tolerance FOR electoral violence. THIS ALSO calls for a change of attitude by security agents who neglect obvious threatening security breaches to the detriment of helpless INEC officials, while party agents brazenly compromise their positions during elections. Dutiful and knowledgeable poling agents can enhance credibility during elections by not betraying THEIR PRINCIPALS while upholding the virtues of the electoral Act which empowers them to check the excess of poll officials and other IRREGULARITIES.
ONE MUST COMMEND THE leadership of the NYSC for placing corps members at the disposal of INEC for deployment as POLLING clerks during elections. The partnership is indeed a remarkable and rewarding engagement as it HELPS to lesson the burden of INEC, in recruiting a large number of incompetent ad-hoc personnel that are usually needed for elections. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR THE CIVIL SOCIETY TO collaborate WITH INEC TO ENSURE THAT ALL ELECTORAL LOOP HOLES ARE BLOCKED TO ENSURE THE ENTHRONEMENT OF A PEOPLE DRIVEN DEMOCRACY. THEY SHOULD MOVE FROM THE POINT OF WAITING FOR THE PROCESS TO FAIL BEFORE CRYING FOUL. ELECTIONS ARE not so much about the politician BUT ABOUT THE PEOPLE. In ANY democracy, the electorate must be ACTIVE AND CONSTANTLY inquisitive. They must drive issues and political debates. The people must never admit defeat to politicians or THE political class. IT IS IN THIS REGARD THAT THE RECENT DEBATE PUT TOGETHER FOR THE CANDIDATES IN THE ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS SHOULD BE COMMENDED. NO DOUBT, THE RIGHT PARTNERSHIP SHOULD BE ONE THAT must focus on how to reposition the electorate to be the kingmakers and to take the centre stage. THE TIME HAS COME FOR competent citizens WITH long standing records of integrity TO RISE UP AND WORK WITH INEC TO MAKE OUR ELECTORAL SYSTEM CREDIBLE.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary