The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to broaden their monitoring efforts to include political parties and State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), aiming to strengthen democracy and improve election processes in Nigeria.
This appeal was made by the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during a meeting with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room coalition, led by its convener, Mr. Yinusa Z Ya’u, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. Professor Yakubu praised the role CSOs have played in enhancing Nigeria’s democratic processes but emphasized that their scrutiny should extend to other key actors in the electoral system.
The INEC Chairman stressed that the quality of party primaries directly affects the overall electoral process. He highlighted that poorly conducted primaries lead to limited choices for the public during elections, as voters must choose from candidates presented by political parties.
Furthermore, Professor Yakubu questioned the lack of attention given to local government elections conducted by SIECs, where the ruling party often wins all seats. He welcomed constructive criticism from CSOs, stating that such feedback is essential for driving improvements in the system.
In response, Mr. Ya’u affirmed that the Civil Society Situation Room shares a common goal with INEC in strengthening democracy and ensuring credible elections. He noted that the coalition has been actively involved in mobilizing citizens for Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection and advocating for peaceful elections in Edo State.
The meeting was attended by several key INEC officials, including National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and senior management members.
