….pays 1st visit to INEC headquarters, Abuja
From David Onuoja, Abuja
The African Union (AU), on election matters, lead by the head of the Team, His Excellency Demeke Mekonnen, who is also the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia with his team has paid an election assessment visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday.
The delegation according to the head of the team, said they are going to be in Nigeria for 7 days on election assessment, most especially to know the level of readiness and preparedness of both the electoral body and the political parties among others.
He added that, their mission in Nigeria at this time, is to know the developmental plan of INEC especially, and to know on how to guide or advice them. “We also prioritized meeting with key stakeholders for this.
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According to him, “the Independent National Electoral Commission is one of the important places to visit, and I think they are the engine room of the Electoral process. Based on that, we are here to hear from them. We want to know the overall preparedness, the overall preparations for the upcoming general elections.
“Our task is just a supportive mission, to facilitate and to play an advisory role, to appreciate the activities on track, and again to identify gaps, and based on that, for possible remedies and corrections for the successful election process. You know, as a minimum standard, the election process has to be credible, transparent, fair, and the landscape also again has to be fair to all players through inclusiveness, and that should be really acceptable within that standard.
“Starting from election process, pre-election phase, the election phase, and the post-election phase are very important and sequential process and even the tactics.
“So, considering this, we are here to check and to hear from your side the overall preparations, preparedness, how would INEC assess its overall readiness for the 2027 general elections, and what are the main remaining risks and gaps. This is our main focus.
“Within this framework, I think learning about the voter registration is very important and timely. Is the voter register finalized. Is it credible, and ready for public and stakeholder scrutiny?
“And again, the preparations of technology applications, iReV, and BVAS, are they really fully tested and ready? Considering on the lessons taken from the previous elections? The preparations for application of technology, is very important. This great country deserve for such kind of application and that is So, how the preparations look like in this regard?
“The other one is, as you know, the logistics and related issues. Logistical and operational activities are the most crucial in managing such election in this great country in terms of population, in terms of geography, and in terms of multiple characters. So, what are the most significant logistical challenges and how is INEC addressing them?
“The other one is the funding issue for this general election. I think, INEC has received adequate and timely funding through parliament for all the election process? This is a really very important one. To be credible, to be fair and to be transparent, the necessary resource is very crucial, and on time”, he advised.
Speaking about transparency and the public confidence on INEC; Mekonnen asked INEC whether “they is trust from political parties on them, trust from the citizens, trust from the voters. In this regard, what steps is INEC taking to strengthen the transparency, accountability, and public trust in the election process? This is ultimately the decisive foundation and element. So, that is also another important one.
On Security issue he asked, “how is INEC coordinating with security agencies with Inter-Agency Committee? How is the preparedness in this regard? Security agencies are to ensure a secure election while safeguarding its independence? That’s the most important role.
Also, on result management, “what assurance can INEC provide regarding the integrity, transparency, and timely publication of election results?
The delegation team equally asked INEC an important question which bothers on support. “What support from the African Union or engagement from the African Union would be most valuable in enhancing the credibility and success of the electoral process? Yeah, like this timely deployment mission is one of the support from the AU side, and what do you expect from the AU for further support?
Responding on behalf of the Commission’s Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, the National Commissioner, Professor Rhoda Gumus who spoke, assured AU delegation and Nigerians that the 2027 general election will reflect the sovereign will of the voters.
She said the commission would remain independent, neutral and professional throughout the electoral process.
According to her, “the administrative decisions would be guided by the law, while technology would be deployed to strengthen transparency and public confidence.
“The final outcome of the 2027 General Election will reflect nothing less than the sovereign will of the Nigerian electorate,” she promised.
