•INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to closely study and emulate the transparent conduct of ongoing local council elections in parts of Great Britain where electoral processes are being conducted peacefully, with results transmitted automatically and electronically without unnecessary rancour, confusion or alleged manipulation.
In a statement yesterday signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said the orderly conduct of the UK’s local council polls in which the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Reform Party, Green Party, Liberal Democrats and others have expressed satisfactory approval is a good model for INEC to learn lessons of accountability, transparency, integrity, sincerity, preparedness and neutrality.
The rights group noted that in the UK council elections, results are being uploaded electronically and announced almost immediately at polling units without the usual tension, widespread allegations of manipulation and unnecessary delays that often characterise major elections in Nigeria, reports Saturday Guardian.
“This transparent process is exactly the kind of electoral culture that Nigerians expect INEC to institutionalise ahead of the January 2027 general election,” HURIWA noted.
The association, therefore, advised the current INEC Chairman to learn from the shining example of the British electoral system, cautioning him against attempting to divert public attention by repeatedly citing insecurity as the greatest threat to smooth and credible elections in Nigeria.
“While insecurity remains a national concern that must be tackled seriously by security institutions, Nigerians are more worried about the credibility, neutrality and independence of the electoral umpire itself,” HURIWA said.
According to HURIWA, the credibility crisis facing INEC cannot be ignored or dismissed because elections are fundamentally built on public trust, neutrality and confidence in the electoral process.
“INEC must urgently rebuild trust because many Nigerians presently believe that the electoral commission lacks the neutrality and independence required to conduct transparent elections. Public confidence in elections is central to democracy and cannot be ignored,” it added.
