INEC introspects, evaluates conduct of 2023 general elections in Gombe
……….explains why Commission hasn’t replied critics
Chima Azubuike
The Independent National Electoral Commission, in Gombe on Tuesday organised 2023 state level post election review to introspect and review its performances in the just concluded general elections.
Speaking during a one-day engagement with Electoral Officers and other key actors in the last conducted poll, Resident Electoral Commissioner Umar Ibrahim, explained that every election is unique and has it own peculiarities, disclosing that the recently held electioneering process wasn’t an exception.
According to him, the Commission didn’t want to pre-empt outcome of its post election review, as reason for ignoring critics.
Ibrahim said, “As expected so many individuals and groups have been airing their views and varied opinions on the conduct of the elections which is normal and the commission welcomes such conversations that are aimed at improving future conduct of elections in the country.
“However, as the honourable Chairman noted recently, “the Commission has not joined in these commentaries in the immediate aftermath of the election for several reasons. First, our preference is to listen more and draw lessons rather than join in the heated and often emotive public discussions on the election. Secondly, since, we planned to conduct our review of the election, we see no need to pre-empt the process. Thirdly, the Commission would not want to be seen as defensive. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, several issues around the election are sub-judice and it is not the intention of the Commission to either undermine or promote the chances of litigants in the various election petition courts beyond what is required by the legal process.”
Also speaking, an official from INEC’s Headquarters, Zainab Bakre, disclosed that the engagement was structured around 15 critical issues, adding that participants were expected to make recommendations.
She said, “Operational processes for the Continuous Voter Registration and general elections, including planning, organisation, coordination and evaluation of activities, focusing particularly on such specific issues as the issuance of voters’ cards, logistics, delivery of materials, deployment of personnel, etc.
“Legal framework for the conduct of elections with a view to addressing any key legal challenges that may have arisen prior to the 2023 General Election which were not envisaged before the election.
“Technologies deployed in the electoral process, including the INEC Voter Enrolment Device; INEC Result Viewing Portal; Bimodal Voter Accreditation System; party nomination portal; observer, media and polling/collation agents’ accreditation portals etc.. focusing particularly on their performance.
“Effectiveness of overall administrative procedures and channels within the Commission in the coordination and execution of pre- election, election and post-election activities;
“Political party registration, party primaries and nomination of candidates for the 2023 General Election, as well as monitoring of the processes:
“Process of recruitment, training, deployment and performance of all categories of ad-hoc staff during CVR and the General Election; and vii. the Commission’s cooperation and relations with other bodies such as NGOs etc. and any other issues in the process that are likely to impact the work of the Commission in future.”
