SAN FRANCISCO, May 07, (THEWILL) – 75 Political parties have passed a vote of confidence on the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, saying the 2019 general elections met the expectation of majority of Nigerians.
Chairmen of the parties, who spoke at a 2-day Roundtable on the evaluation of the last polls in Abuja, however, blamed operatives of security agencies, particularly the military and the police for the shortcomings that may have been witnessed in the election.
The Chairmen also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to speedily sign the Electoral Ammendment bill into law in order to save the country from the challenges associated with the current electoral law.
The National Roundtable with the theme: “The role and Performances of Stakeholders in the 2019 General elections, issues, challenges and prospects”, drew together political stakeholders, including members of the civil society organisations (CSOs).
The event which took place at the International Conference Centre was chaired by Prof. Remi Aiyede and was graced by the immediate past Vice President of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Sam Sumana.
In her address, the Acting Executive Director, Centre for Transparent Advocacy (CTA), co- organisers of the event, Faith Nwadishi, stated that INEC as the umpire of the general elections proved quite independent in the way and manner it responded to the unexpected challenges thrown its way by the stakeholders in the process and other unforeseen circumstances during the last general election”.
“Of note is how it bravely prevented the ruling party from fielding candidates in Zamfara in its determination to follow the rules no matter whose ox is gored. More crucially, on the ground, during election and voting day, it refused to be intimidated by threats and violence unleashed on its officials and ad-hoc staff leading to some certificates of return being withheld by INEC though this is now subject to litigations”.
While speaking further, she also urged the political class to “take internal democracy seriously”.
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