From Victor Osula, Abuja
In their preliminary report on the ongoing presidential and national assembly election i n Nigeria, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI) Joint Election Observation Mission (IEOM) have said that “the election fell well short of Nigerian citizens’ reasonable expectations.”
Leader of the group, Dr Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi, however congratulated Nigerians for “their resilience and enthusiasm”.
She said,“Despite large crowds in some polling stations and long waits, Nigerian voters demonstrated commitment to participate in the process and a strong desire to have their voices heard,” adding that despite the reforms to the Electoral Act 2022, “the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, lacked transparency.”
She lamented that multiple incidents of political violence overshadowed the electoral process and impeded a substantial number of voters from participating.
On its own part, NDI/IRI confirmed currency and fuel shortages imposed excessive burdens on voters and election officials while marginalized groups, especially women, continue to face barriers to seeking and obtaining political office.
The delegation observed that the late opening of polling locations and logistical failures created tensions and the secrecy of the ballot was compromised in some polling units due to overcrowding.
Banda said after the polls, challenges with the electronic transfer of results and their upload to a public portal in a timely manner, undermined citizen confidence at a crucial moment of the process.
“Inadequate communication and lack of transparency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about their cause and extent created confusion and eroded voters’ trust in the process.
“The combined effect of these problems disenfranchised Nigerian voters in many areas, although the scope and scale is currently unknown,”
The group, however commended INEC for conducting the general elections according to the electoral calendar “for the first time in the country’s recent history”.
