CISLAC seeks electoral justice over inconclusive elections, cancellations

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed concern about the outcome of the gubernatorial elections in some states of the federation, calling for electoral justice.

It said the apparent disproportionate declaration of the state electoral outcomes by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), especially across the states whose results are declared inconclusive, calls for concern, stressing that the electoral body must uphold uniformity, equity and justice in the announcement to ensure free, fair and credible outcomes that will be acceptable to all.

The group also decried the fragmented reaction by the electoral body towards the outcome of the declaration in the affected states, noting that such action is capable of heightening electoral distrust and apathy and nothing in the declaration of the elections inconclusive should be used as a means of subverting the popular will of the people.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, the group said the electoral process had been heated with series of provocative statements, destructive arguments and negative utterances that could impair our national democracy as observed in the emerging verbal attacks and derogatory statements trending among political parties rather than discourse on developments.

Musa said: “We on this note call for calmness, objectivity and total respect for the rule of law in response to issues to avert tension and situation that can exacerbate electoral violence across the country.”

He, however, urged INEC to maintain high-level of integrity in the nation’s electoral process and ensure pronouncements are made in accordance with rule of law, and not political sentiment.