Election Confidence On The Line: INEC Gains Another Shot At Redemption In Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi Polls

With only 72 hours remaining until the gubernatorial elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states, a significant number of Nigerians are urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)…CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

to seize the upcoming off-season polls as an opportunity to rectify the trust issues that exist within the nation’s electoral system.

These calls have emerged in the midst of differing opinions and controversies stemming from the aftermath of the 2023 general elections.

It is worth noting that the alleged failure of INEC to adhere to the 2022 electoral law was among the grounds on which both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi, contested the declaration of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.

While Atiku and Obi did not succeed in their appeals at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) and the Supreme Court, respectively, they maintained that INEC did not follow the provisions of the 2022 electoral act and its own regulations during the election.

They argued that INEC had violated its rules and guidelines by not implementing technological tools for voter accreditation, verification, continuation, and authentication as mandated.

The Supreme Court specifically acknowledged that the malfunctioning of the Result Viewing (IReV) portal of the Electoral Commission had the potential to erode public confidence in the electoral process.

In light of these concerns, many Nigerians are now urging INEC to address these issues and enhance public trust in the electoral process during the upcoming off-season elections.