INEC May Yet Defer Elections

Why Elections May Not Hold On March 28

By Richard Imhoagene
March 13, 2015.
As the weeks run by and major political contenders continue to play power politics in the days leading to the most important period of Nigeria's socio-political environment in recent times, Nigerians are apprehensive over the fears allayed by stakeholders concerning the alleged unpreparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

There are strong indications that elections which have been postponed from its original dates of February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 may yet again be postponed following recent developments in the polity, events which have the potential to hamper the integrity of Nigeria's elections if not properly addressed.

Just days ago, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to include the Young Democratic Party (YDP) in its list of duly registered political parties. Uncertainty impliedly looms over possible conduct of the rescheduled elections on March 28 and April, respectively, as INEC is now expected to reproduce ballot papers to bear YDP and its logo.

The question now making the rounds is; will INEC be able to honour this judgement with the rescheduled elections barely three weeks away? Many people seem to disagree, considering the many processes involved in printing all required documents needed for an election, especially in a country like Nigeria.

In a related development, a Pro-democracy group under the aegis of Nigerians United for Democracy (NUD), has raised fears that the March 28 and April 11 dates for the general elections are not sacrosanct. This is one group that sees the need to incorporate every legitimate party in the electoral process if the process is to be deemed credible.

The group, the Nigerians United for Democracy also wondered why some political parties had launched negative campaigns against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. It stated through its spokesman that it is unlawful to make derogatory comments against a lawfully recognised body like INEC.

Briefing newsmen on behalf of the group in Port Harcourt, Rights activist, Anyakwee Nsirimovu expressed concern about plans by powerful politicians to scuttle the general election.

In a rather uncertain development, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attahiru Jega, has told Nigerian federal lawmakers he could not guarantee the 2015 general elections will hold on rescheduled dates in March and April. Mr. Jega made this known to Senators recently stating that he could not commit himself to the “sanctity” of March 28 and April 11 dates for the rescheduled Nigeria’s general elections.

Speaking further, he said the electoral commission could not guarantee aspects of the poll that are beyond its control. These aspects, pundits suggest range from violence to malpractices, and so on. Mr. Jega met with the lawmakers to review the decision to postpone the polls from February.

Under the Nigerian law, a further six-week extension of the elections is possible, a prospect opposed by many Nigerians, the main opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, and the international community.

INEC had said the postponement were necessary for security reasons, as military chiefs had warned against going on with the vote to allow it focus on fighting the terror group, Boko Haram. But the APC said the delay was instigated by President Goodluck Jonathan, to save him and the ruling party from losing the elections to the APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

Since announcing the new dates nearly two weeks ago, the commission has declined to clearly confirm that there will be no further delay beyond March 28 and April 11, for presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly polls.

Responding to a question by George Akume, Senate Minority Leader, on the sanctity of the new dates, on Wednesday, Mr. Jega said it was difficult for him to respond, saying he could only give assurances over aspects within the control of INEC.

“That’s a very difficult question to answer. I have said not everything that has to do with the conduct of successful election is within the control of INEC,” Mr. Jega said.
Mr. Jega also said the commission will go forward with its plan to deploy card readers for the elections.

Let us not forget that there have been some concerns, mainly from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, about the plan as Nigerian law prohibits electronic voting. On Wednesday, while PDP Senators opposed the plan, their APC counterparts welcomed it.

Heineken Lokpobri, a PDP Senator from Bayelsa State and Odion Ugbesa, from Edo State, argued against the use of card readers for the elections, saying it would be illegal. In his response, Mr. Jega said card readers would only be used for accreditation not actual voting, stating that there was no law forbidding the use of electronic devices for accreditation.

Agitations to shift the general elections heightened on Thursday, as one of the political parties, Young Democratic Party (YDP) said that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should either accommodate the party in the forthcoming general elections or reschedule them.

Reacting to the Federal High Court's order of INEC to issue a certificate and include YDP in the general elections, the INEC Director of Voter ‎Education, Osaze Uzzi, and the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu, declined to comment, stating that apart from what they read from the newspapers, the processes of the court documents are yet to be served to commission.

A national commissioner of INEC who does not want to be quoted said, "We are yet to be served, but mind you, INEC has the right of appeal. We wait until the court processes are served on the commission. Also note that the commission has reached an advanced stage of the preparations for election. The worst case scenario is that the commission will seek for a stay of execution and subsequently appeal the order of the Federal High Court."

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday shortly after its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Barr. Ugo Nwofor described the judgment as victory for democracy, rule of law and triumph over impunity.

According to Nwofor, they were ready for 2015 elections, but gave INEC two options, which include the re-printing of its ballot papers to include YDP, so as to accommodate its candidates. The second option, Barr. Nwofor, said if INEC does not have the appropriate logistics for reprinting of its ballot papers then INEC ought to within the constitutional provision further re-schedule the general elections so as to accommodate our party.”

As we continue to watch in perplexity, there is the wish that Nigerians can finally heave a sigh of relief when and how INEC and the government become certain as to elections holding as scheduled so that the nation can focus on its so many challenges.