Culture of Election Failings

ANYONE who says he understands how elections in Nigeria work is only
making a claim. Whether at the local government, state or federal
levels, elections are mysteries various authorities sustain for their
own purposes.
It would not be in the interest of power-seekers to conduct free and
fairelections. Many politicians believe loose implementation of laws
leave them a chance of manipulating the process to access the benefits
of power.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has not been
helpful. It is a law to itself. Billions of Naira invested in its
operations does not reflect in the results it delivers. After leading
Nigerians through promises of improved performances, INEC reclines to
the most ridiculous excuses for its failing.
Its conduct of the 2011 elections is praised by those who lower
standards to accommodate mediocrity. What did INEC do in 2013 that was
different from elections conducted from 1999? Have we moved away from
the failings of 1999?
We do not think so. From the registration of voters to voting, the
processes are flawed. There is no agreed explanation of the Electoral
Act,making it a decorative document that remains legally challenging,
failing to provide succour for those who seek comfort in its
provisions. Why would election riggers not take advantage? Why would
rigging stop when the punishments the Electoral Act prescribes are
ignored?
There are fines, jail terms for almost any conceivable electoral
offence. INECdoes not prosecute electoral offenders, the major reason
being that its officials are among the biggest offenders. If the
matter is diligently investigated, field officers who compromise
elections may not be acting alone. What have their supervisors done to
deter them?INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega, as usual, is
brimming with optimism over the 2015 elections. No proper account of
the 2011 elections have been given, especially how the technological
advances that cost billions of Naira did not facilitate improvements
in the process. INEC has moved on, and expects Nigerians to dothe
same. Perpetrators of electoral fraud, Jega says, have been punished
quietly.
Our concerns about elections are many. For all the importance they
bear to our future, INEC has failed to providethe transparency
required to make them credible. Its plans skirt vital issues of
fairness to contestants, accessto information for all – these
contribute to the fidelity of elections.
Voters' education is relegated to the background, though international
donors funnel billions of Naira to INEC'spurses for the purpose. INEC
must show by its conduct that it is changing. A good start would be an
account of the 2011 elections and punishments, according to the law,
for those whose conducts thwarted transparency of the elections.