INEC: Acknowledges 2023 Presidential Election Failures, Vows 2027 Reforms

• The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged to resolve the issues from the 2023 presidential election by implementing improvements for the 2027 general elections.
• INEC acknowledged that heavy website traffic during the 2023 presidential poll contributed to a decline in public trust, though subsequent governorship elections saw improvements.
• Deputy Director Paula Iwenjiora urged young Nigerians to actively participate in the electoral process, emphasizing that non-participation allows others to decide their future.
• INEC is enhancing voter education through various engagements and collaborating with development partners to reach all communities.
• The commission is working with security agencies, including the police and military, to ensure voter safety and address concerns about electoral violence.

Mrs. Iwenjiora underscored that neither votes nor Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) can be counted on social media platforms, reinforcing the necessity of physical participation.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has publicly affirmed its dedication to rectifying the issues that undermined public confidence during the 2023 presidential election. This commitment involves implementing significant improvements to its electoral processes in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The announcement was made during the second stakeholders' roundtable on voter education and youth participation, an event organized by the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) under its YERP-Naija project, held in Abuja.

During the roundtable, Mrs. Paula Iwenjiora, the Deputy Director of Voter Education, who was representing the Director of Voter Education, Mrs. Etta-Messi, candidly acknowledged that the commission's management of the 2023 presidential poll had contributed to a decline in public trust. She attributed a key challenge to the overwhelming traffic experienced on INEC's website during the presidential election, which significantly impacted the overall process. However, Mrs. Iwenjiora highlighted that subsequent adjustments and improvements were successfully implemented during the governorship elections that followed.

Mrs. Iwenjiora further elaborated on the existing "deficit trust" among the populace, conceding that public criticism directed at INEC for not fully delivering on its promises was understandable. Despite this, she conveyed strong confidence in the commission's current leadership, particularly under Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN). Prof. Amupitan, who has served for just over a year, is actively engaged in rigorous efforts alongside his directors and national commissioners, undertaking tours and consistently communicating with staff to ensure the electoral system's effectiveness.

In a bid to strengthen public engagement, INEC has intensified its voter education initiatives. These efforts encompass a broad range of activities, including campus debates, direct engagements with various civil society organizations, collaborations with faith-based groups, and the establishment of community-level voter education providers. Mrs. Iwenjiora emphasized that INEC cannot independently reach every community across the nation and therefore relies heavily on the support of development partners and other stakeholders. She specifically commended KDI for its crucial role in supporting voter education and extending civic awareness to grassroots communities.

A central message from the Deputy Director was a direct appeal to young Nigerians, urging them to transcend mere social media discussions and actively participate in the electoral process. She issued a clear warning that a failure to cast their votes would inevitably result in decisions about their future being made by others. Mrs. Iwenjiora underscored that neither votes nor Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) can be counted on social media platforms, reinforcing the necessity of physical participation.

She further encouraged young citizens to join political parties, articulate their perspectives, and actively contribute to decisions impacting their communities. The implication was clear: if the younger generation remains disengaged, the older generation will continue to dominate the political landscape, leading to a lack of representation for youth interests. Addressing prevalent concerns regarding voter safety and the potential for electoral violence, Mrs. Iwenjiora confirmed that INEC is actively collaborating with various security agencies, including the police, military, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. This coordinated effort is managed through an inter-agency arrangement, with security coordination extending from the national level in Abuja down to local communities.

Lawyers involved in electoral law or election petitions should closely monitor INEC's implementation of promised improvements for the 2027 elections, as these changes may impact the reliability of electoral data, the conduct of future polls, and the evidentiary basis for challenging or defending election outcomes.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH newspaper.