INEC and its promise
Dallas, Texas
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Recalling
what Prof. Maurice Iwu said during his USA visit last year and matching it with
the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) actions, one could
fairly say that INEC is keeping its promises.
Well, realizing that he would be faced with the daunted task of trying to erase the dark shadows of the 2003 elections that seemed to invoke negative memories of the then Dr. Abel Guobadia-led commission in New Jersey on Saturday, April 29, 2006 on the occasion of A Symposium on the “Challenges of 2007 Nigerian Elections Strengthening the Nigerian Democracy: The Challenges of 2007 Elections” organized by the International Leadership Institute in association with The Institute for Advancement of Democracy, Prof Iwu seized the moment to convince some people in the Diaspora about his robust plans to conduct free, fair, and violence-free elections as the chairman of INEC. He further used the opportunity to allay fears of 2007 elections mirroring those of 2003 by touting the operational and structural changes the commission has made so far. Prof. Iwu stated that he has meticulously restructured INEC for effectiveness. The commission has been adequately preparing to have free, fair, and violence free elections by ensuring a credible process through voter education, authentic voter card, credible ballot cards, and instantaneous transmitting of election results. Iwu-led INEC assured people in the Diaspora of the commission's political independence and invite them to support the commission in discharging its constitutional duties.
Prof. Attahiru Jega, Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, who was the keynote speaker, painted a murky political picture of Nigeria, which he said is dominated by “militicians” and not politicians. He described Nigeria as a highly militarized society. He said, “Trying to democratize a highly militarized society like Nigeria is a tough job.” He, however, acknowledged that leadership is critical for everything. “From what I know of Prof. Maurice Iwu, I don’t believe he’s going to succumb to intimidation and bribery. He’s going to provide credible leadership to ensure fair and free elections,” he added during question and answer session. The VC continues to have confidence in Prof. Iwu’s leadership; he said that Iwu would help transform INEC for the better.
From all indications INEC has been keeping its promises so far by working assiduously to ensure credible elections in Nigeria. INEC successfully concluded voter registration exercise and it has effectively updated its system for effective counting.
It established Zonal stations to facilitate the supply of materials. Last year Prof. Iwu assured people in the Diaspora and Nigeria that voters' cards should carry picture and biometric information for authentication. Well, we know that ballot cards would contain pictures of candidates. This is paramount and a step in the right direction.
INEC is empowered with the enabling legislation to control money politics. With the enabling legislative authority to control the amount of money each presidential candidate spends during the electioneering period, INEC is making sure candidates run issue-oriented campaign. INEC has not only the authority to control spending, but also must know where the money is coming from. The commission has mechanism in place to ensure that candidates do not scuttle the provisions of the law by going over the spending limits.
INEC recognizes the high stake of 2007 elections. The enormity of 2007 elections not only to Nigerians, but also to the international community, who feels that Nigeria's enduring democracy is critical to maintaining other democracies in the region, could not be overemphasized.
Since international community is interested in supporting the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, countries like Canada, US, EU, including UNDP under United Nations support Prof. Iwu and his commission are determined to make a difference. He has developed various plans to ensure smooth elections in Nigeria. INEC has been working with international community to strengthen democracy in Nigeria by capacity building for adequately manning 120,000 polling stations, voter education, and updating the voter registers. The commission has mobilized 550,000 electoral officers for the April polls.
No matter what INEC does in its preparation for the upcoming elections, some people would continue to scorn the commission unabated. Perhaps critics of the commission abound because of culture of corruption and the history of the commission. But there is a new dawn in Iwu-led INEC. Prof Maurice Iwu has met obstacles every step he takes to reform the agency. He has turned the obstacles to assets in an effort to create a credible and model INEC.
It could be aptly said that so far there are no signs of ills of 2003 elections foreshadowing Iwu-led INEC. His commission has worked assiduously to ensure that 2007 elections are credible. Perhaps the conduct of the elections would turn people’s cynicism into confidence of INEC. With the help of Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Sunday Ehindero, who would mobilize 200,000 officers for the polls, INEC would be able to perform its job unfettered.
Many Nigerians are optimistic about having credible elections in Nigeria this year as promised by INEC!
See also: Pan Ndiigbo Foundation USA (PNF USA): Support for INEC's Iwu