2019: 75 political parties pass confidence vote on INEC chairman

Despite the reservations of some opposition parties, about 75 political parties on Monday said the results of the 2019 general elections were credible and acceptable.

 They also passed a vote of confidence on the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

But they however pleaded with President Muhammed Buhari to sign the Electoral Amendment Bill into law when re-presented to him by the National Assembly.

They asked INEC to “replicate the National Collation Centre in all the states and local government councils.”

They recommended that presidential, National Assembly, governorship as well as state House of Assembly elections be held the same day, to address the challenge of voter apathy.

 The parties made their position known after a two-day Roundtable on the evaluation of the last polls in Abuja.

The National Round-table with the theme: ‘The role and Performances of Stakeholders in the 2019 General elections, issues, challenges and prospects’ was well attended by political stakeholders, including members of the civil society organisations (CSOs) .

The event, which was graced by immediate past Vice President of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Sam Sumana and chaired by Prof. Remi Aiyede, took place at International Conference Centre in Abuja.

The parties said: “The Roundtable critically analysed the 2019 general elections and the roles of major stakeholders and congratulated INEC, Nigerians and indeed all stakeholders for successfully conducting the elections on schedule.

“The Roundtable noted with satisfaction the zeal, commitment and cooperation of all stakeholders with the electoral body (INEC) to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2019.

“The Roundtable,  after a comprehensive review of the conduct of 2019 general elections, passes a vote of confidence on the National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu for the successful conduct of the election.

Acting Executive Director, Centre for Transparent Advocacy (CTA), Faith Nwadishi, said 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.”

Nwadishi added: “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.”

 But she pleaded with the political class to “take internal democracy seriously”.

In a communiqué after the conference, the chairmen of the parties said the INEC chairman performed well.

The communiqué reads in part: “The Roundtable after a comprehensive review of the conduct of the 2019 general elections passes a vote of confidence on the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for the successful conduct of the election, and notes with satisfaction the transparency in communication and regular engagement of stakeholders at the National, State and Local Government levels which ensured that everybody was carried along in the process.

The parties faulted the roles of security agencies during the general elections.

They said: “The Roundtable indicts the security agencies for the lapses in the election due largely to their collusion with unscrupulous politicians and negligence to do their jobs.”

“The Round-table condemned the hypocrisy of the leadership of the security agencies that manifested in the partisan deployment of police and security personnel to polling station/voting point, and also condemned the unprofessional conducts of security agents”.

The participants however, made far reaching recommendations on how to improve electoral system ahead of subsequent elections.

According to them, President Buhari should as a matter of urgency, when represented by the National Assembly, sign it into law.