Nigeria: Press Statement By the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room On Urgent Electoral Reforms By the New Administration

23 June 2023
Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Abuja)
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- Issued: Friday, 23rd June 2023, Abuja. 10:30am

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) is following up on its report of the 2023 General Elections and is demanding for urgent national electoral reforms to re-ignite citizens confidence in Nigeria's electoral process.

A post 2023 general election survey recently conducted by the Situation Room has exposed a significant dip in citizens confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Citizens now query the ability of INEC to conduct credible elections in the country. In the light of upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa in November 2023, Situation Room is worried about the credibility of INEC and its ability to conduct free elections in the light of the shortcomings experienced during the General Elections of February & March 2023.

Given the need for urgent action to be taken regarding INEC, Situation Room is calling for an independent national electoral reform panel to be set up urgently by President Bola Tinubu. Situation Room is not in any way tying its call to the outcome of the 2023 General Elections nor would we consider that this panel represent a question surrounding the results of the 2023 General Elections. Nevertheless, Situation Room's call is being made as a national call to help salvage Nigeria's electoral process. For the independent panel to work freely, without interference from INEC as presently constituted.

The membership of the proposed independent national electoral reform panel should comprise of independent election experts and stakeholders who will review the logistical, legal and administrative shortcomings of INEC as well as make additional reform recommendations. The reform panel should also be charged with recommending the implementation of previous electoral reform proposals that have examined the mode of appointment into INEC to remove the recruitment of partisan elements into the Commission. In addition, the panel should also recommend needed legal framework and time frame for achieving the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission as well as the best, least expensive paths to creating and maintaining a credible Voter Register for the country, amongst other issues.

Again, this call is being made in the light of the Situation Room's observation of 2023 General Elections, off-cycle Governorship elections and the continuing decline of citizens confidence in the management of elections in Nigeria.

Call/Whatsapp

09032999919, 08021812999, 09095050505.

E-mail: situationroom@placng.org

Social Media

Twitter/Instagram: @SituationRoomNg

Facebook: Situation Room Nigeria

Website: www.situationroom.org

Hashtag: #SR2023Elections

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SIGNED:

Y.Z Ya'u

Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room

Mimidoo Achakpa

Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room

Franklin Oloniju

Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room

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