PUNCH
A coalition of over 80 human rights organisations under the aegis of Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room said on Friday that President Bola Tinubu should set up an independent national electoral reform panel to bring credibility to elections in Nigeria.
The membership of the reform panel, the coalition said, should comprise independent election experts and stakeholders who would review the logistical, legal, and administrative shortcomings of INEC as well as make additional reform recommendations.
The convener of NCSSR, Mallam Yunusa Yau, made the recommendation during a press conference held in Abuja about two weeks after his election.
According to him, the CSOs were worried about the conduct and credibility of the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States in November 2023 following the shortcomings experienced in the general elections.
He said, “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 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 Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States 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 and March 2023.
