Cross Udo, Abuja
Ahead of the March 11 governorship and states assembly elections, experts on political matters have warned that a flawed electoral system may fuel voter apathy and disinterest in political affairs.

The experts and researchers from Nextier SPD have also advised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to maintain non-partisanship and stick to the electoral laws, noting that many disgruntled election stakeholders have been accused of incompetence and malpractice in Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections.

They contended that the current agitations against announced results revolve more around INEC’s perceived incompetence and partisanship than recorded violence, stressing that social media are inundated with several accounts of results from polling units, local government areas, and states and dozens of people bemoaning the electoral umpire’s alleged negligence and hinting at a possibility of a protest.

Recall that Nextier had in its prediction before the presidential election said that Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, would win the presidential election, but the INEC had on Wednesday declared, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the winner of the election, but the declaration has generated controversy and bashing of the INEC for alleged manipulations.

A statement titled, “February 25, 2023: Where did Nigeria miss it?”, signed by Kenneth Maduagwu, a Senior Policy Research Analyst at Nextier; and Dr. Ndu Nwokolo, an Honorary Fellow at the School of Government and Society, University of Birmingham, UK, advised the INEC to maintain neutrality in the performance of its statutory duties.

Polls: Battle shifts to states

According to the statement, “The commission should strictly adhere to and consistently demonstrate its commitment to all electoral laws and provisions, especially regarding using the BVAS, declaration of votes and results. Current tensions revolve around the use of the BVAS and INEC’s position on the allegations of rigging, electoral violence, and deliberate disenfranchisement. These are issues that can culminate into fragmented violence nationwide

“Current agitations against announced results revolve more around INEC’s perceived incompetence and partisanship than recorded violence. Social media are inundated with several accounts of results from polling units, local government areas, and states and dozens of people bemoaning INEC’s negligence and hinting at a possibility of a protest.

“This potential rabbit hole feeds into the deepening perspective among millions of social media users that INEC’s credibility and non-partisanship are to be questioned. Furthermore, these scenarios are heralded by hate speeches, misinformation, and disinformation, which Nextier’s report stated as one of the potential causes of post-election violence.

“A less violent and long-term impact of post-election violence is the distrust it brews. State-society partnerships are often built based on public trust in government and the absence of a crisis of confidence. If Nigerians perceive the electoral system as flawed, it may fuel voter apathy and disinterest in political affairs. Furthermore, if there is a predominant perspective that a candidate has emerged from a rigged system, the candidate’s legitimacy in the eyes of a significant proportion of the public may always be lacking.

“There is no gainsaying a government perceived to be legitimate enjoys public support in collective security, the performance of civic duties, payment of taxes, and loyalty to the state and government. Some actions are necessary for peace concerning the Saturday presidential polls and the possibilities of post-election violence and issues.”

*Urge INEC to maintain non-partisanship

Besides, the statement said, “Many dissatisfied political contenders often seek redress in the judiciary. Therefore, the judicial system plays a role in interpreting the law and demonstrating neutrality and objectivity while at it.

“The judiciary’s role in Nigeria’s democracy is crucial in discouraging people from seeking resolution through unorthodox means, especially resorting to violence and public disturbance. Some recent rulings by the supreme courts have not gone down, with many Nigerians now seeing more judgment than justice in the rulings of the apex court.

“The deployment of security organisations for election security is not enough if it does not lead to a violence-free election and post-election. There is a need to protect INEC officials and other election stakeholders who are threatened by violence in different states. It is also essential to monitor the tensions closely to prevent attacks on people who may be targeted for identifying with a particular tribe, religion, or political party.

“Nigeria’s security agencies must commit to safeguarding lives and properties at risk of election-related violence. Security agencies with the responsibility of providing security on election days should do their mappings on possible and known hotspots and work towards protecting the likely victims of such attacks.

“Inciting comments by political candidates and blocs can trigger pockets of violence, which will threaten law and order across the board. Results announcements may be an emotive period for many aspirants and their supporters. There is a need to sue for peace and calm. However, this condition can be significantly driven by the election stakeholders such as INEC, security agencies, and the judiciary efficiently playing their statutory roles in the entire electoral process.”