2019: Group commends INEC for abolishing controversial Incident Forms
The Integrity Friends for Truth and Peace Initiative ( TIFPI), an accredited independent election observer group has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for abolishing the controversial Incident Forms in the 2019 general elections.
The group gave this commendation in a statement it issued on Thursday by its Executive Director, Livingstone Wechie, stressing that the move will entrench the confidence of the Nigerian people in the electoral commission to conduct transparent elections in the country.
The group recalled that the use of Incident Forms had in the past caused some measure of irregularity as most people were either disenfranchised or the credibility of the elections were questioned by some stakeholders.
The group also welcomed the measures now being put in place by the Commission to make up for any forms of data and accreditation challenges by prospective voters during the upcoming elections even as it advised the commission to establish to public knowledge a mechanism to address issues of the large population of prospective voters with Temporary Voters Card (TVC) as against Permanent Voters Card (PVC) in which across the country many have complained of logistical constraints as a reason for their non -collection.
“This will help in avoiding the possible disenfranchisement of this category of persons. Hence community based organizations across the country should be engaged fully to aide domestic reach in helping to address this issue knowing that most of these persons have limited education and only traditional platforms can help facilitate their access to INEC information on this matter,” the statement said.
The group also lauded INEC for the far reaching efforts towards ensuring a successful 2019 election in their preparations despite the non-signing of the controversial electoral Act amendment Bill into Law by the President.
“It is doubtless that the Commission under Prof. Mahmood Yukubu has gone through narrow paths in recent times in a bid to improve on election management; hence in spite of the difficult terrain particularly the unhealthy relationship between the National Assembly and the Executives as it touches INEC and other agencies, INEC was able to show great capacity and lived head above waters in the face of the almost impossible situation it found itself preparatory to the 2019 general election.
“We further commend the ability of INEC to move ahead to prepare for the election even when their budget approval by the National Assembly came too late and almost frustrated. The first- in- history open defense of INEC budget at the National Assembly was one that has strengthened the transparency measures of the Commission during the instant period.
“We therefore urge INEC to transfer such transparency in the electoral process during the general election including opening their doors to Observer Organizations to the INEC Situation Room at the Headquarters to also observe the digital processes thereto or result collation, transmission and announcement,” the statement said.