President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and all election stakeholders to ensure that the 2019 elections are free, fair, credible and transparent.
Saraki, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, made the call in his keynote/opening address at a one day public hearing on “Vote Buying and Improving Electoral Processes in Nigeria” organized by the National Assembly Joint Committee on INEC, in Abuja.
He stated that this has become imperative as the country is in a delicate situation where Africa and the entire world would be looking forward to what happens in the coming elections.
“This is understandable when you consider that our President is the Chairman of ECOWAS,” Saraki said. “Moreover, the Chairman of our INEC is the head of Electoral Commissions in West Africa. With these positions, it is clear that we cannot afford to conduct an election that will not be credible, peaceful, free and fair.”
He noted that having set an enviable record in the 2015 general elections, the country cannot afford to lower the standard in 2019, adding that “We must up the ante, because whatever we do will have impact on the continent and serve as a representation of Africa on the global stage.”
He insisted that vote buying and election rigging, remain contemporary challenges that mar the nation’s electoral process.
“At this point, it does seem to me that the onus is on INEC to demonstrate its independence. It should be pro-active and take bold decisions. And this is necessary because the responsibility to conduct a credible poll is solely that of The Commission. This is elemental to retaining the confidence of the electorate.
“Once a voter is denied the opportunity to vote through bullying, intimidation and other forms of harassment, then vote rigging and electoral malpractice have free reign.
“The security agencies work for INEC as the electoral body is the one charged by the constitution and our laws to conduct election. INEC must therefore set the rules for their engagement during elections, which they are to follow.
“The Commission should further seek the co-operation of the respective security agencies to ensure strict compliance. It is that way that Nigerians can trust the process, and it will be clear to all that the right steps have been taken with regard to the involvement of security agents,” he stated.
