Our Reporter, Abuja
The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has called for greater transparency in the appointment of a new chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depends on it.
The rights group, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, said the 2023 general elections, despite the introduction of new technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, were fraught with irregularities that undermined public trust in the process.
FENRAD cited late arrival of election materials, technical glitches, and INEC’s failure to promptly upload presidential results on the IReV portal as major setbacks. It also pointed to reports of vote-buying, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, and election-related violence across parts of the country.
“The post-election period was marked by widespread dissatisfaction and legal disputes, exposing weaknesses in both the electoral and judicial systems,” Nwafor noted.
On the leadership of INEC, FENRAD expressed concern that the current appointment process — where the president nominates the chairman subject to Senate confirmation — creates a potential conflict of interest.
“For an electoral body to function credibly, it must be seen as independent, both in law and in practice,” the group warned.
To address these concerns, FENRAD recommended reforms including the creation of an independent, non-partisan selection committee to nominate candidates, open vetting processes involving civil society, and clear criteria emphasizing neutrality and competence.
The group stressed that strengthening INEC’s independence was vital to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
“A credible electoral system is the cornerstone of democracy. Restoring public trust is essential for national unity, stability, and democratic growth,” the statement added.
