2024 By-elections: Plugging deficits in the electoral process 

Reported hitches, irregularities and voter apathy in the February 3, 2024 by-elections and re-run polls in three senatorial districts, 17 federal and 28 state constituencies across the country are neither positive signals of progress in the electoral system nor cheering indicators of democratic consolidation.

It is regrettable that polling activities were suspended in some of the by-elections on account of hitches associated with late arrival or non-availability of voting materials as well as disruption.

Ordinarily, the localised elections ought to be hitch-free; more so that the electoral body had sufficient time to plan and put logistics in place. From all indications, the quality of polls appears to be declining even as public trust in the electoral process dwindles.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appears not to be on top of Election Day activities as election officials as well as security agents conduct themselves in less than commendable ways, thus posing credibility challenges ahead of future elections.

Consequently, growing apathy amongst the electorate suggests fading enthusiasm about elections amongst the generality of the populace which portends huge disincentive for participatory democracy.

There is greater propensity for electoral manipulation and mis-governance when the electorate become apathetic to voting. Unfortunately, politicians appear comfortable with low turnout of voters, casting aspersions on the system.

While previous by-elections in the recent years have been largely characterised by low voter turnout, the concern is that more eligible voters are increasingly becoming disillusioned about the process obviously for reasons that are not too far-fetched. A lot of the hope invested in the electoral process ahead of the 2023 General Election was dashed particularly by failure of INEC to transmit polling unit results for the presidential poll.

The fall out is the erosion of faith and negative perception about the system that ought to guarantee free, fair and credible process. Negative perception of the electoral process undermines popular participation and creates the impression, erroneously or otherwise, that the outcomes of polls are predetermined. INEC must therefore guide against a repeat of flaws which dampen enthusiasm rather than motivate the electorate for future participation.

The prevailing trust deficit accentuated by flaws in recently conducted polls breaches confidence in the electoral process and therefore makes it incumbent on INEC to protect the integrity of the electoral process. It has become more inevitable for INEC to insist on the integrity of the process so as to change recent narratives of flawed process as witnessed in the off-cycle governorship polls and recently in the by-elections.

This is more so that credible outcomes of governorship polls in the forthcoming governorship poll in Edo as well as the Ondo and Anambra governorship election in 2025 would go a long way in restoring confidence that may translate into popular participation in the 2027 General Elections.

It must, however, be emphasised that confidence building ahead of future elections requires the support of other critical institutions beyond INEC whose officials must be seen to be above board and made to be readily accountable to whatever malfeasance they commit to serve as deterrent to their colleagues.

Very disheartening is that the security agents, political parties as well as political actors have been culpable in the hitches that characterised recent elections and therefore should equally be held to account. Avoidable hitches, irregularities and voter apathy will remain a permanent feature of the electoral process if politicians connive with security agencies and actors to deliberately compromise the process; or refuse to play by the rules. Unfortunately, critical stakeholders across platforms of the civil society appear not to be demanding accountability from politicians and security agencies beyond focusing attention on INEC with restricted spheres of influence on Election Day.

It is nonetheless worrisome that Nigerians still indulge in the disruption of the election process out of desperation despite reforms aimed at ensuring proper accreditation of voters and transmission of polling results. Nigerians have a crucial role to play in ensuring the credibility of elections beyond demanding accountability from INEC.

We expect critical stakeholders and organised platforms dedicated to engaging the electoral process to demand compliance with rules from politicians and security agents. Notwithstanding, INEC needs to convince Nigerians about its readiness to discourage any act of compromise or complicity from its personnel as well as ad-hoc staff.

It is indeed a matter of concern that three months after the November 23 Governorship Election in Kogi State, INEC is yet to commence the prosecution of officials caught with pre-filled result sheets as well as other forms of election manipulation. INEC also owes Nigerians explanation as to the delay in prosecuting those indicted for various electoral offences during the 2023 General Elections.

INEC should not expect political actors and collaborators within its system as well as in the security agencies to desist from their notorious acts when prospective offenders are given the impression that they could enjoy impunity simply because those apprehended before them are not brought to trial and made to face the full wrath of the law by way of prosecution.

The electoral commission must lead the charge of restoring confidence in the electoral process by ensuring diligent prosecution of indicted officials as well other collaborators. To address trust deficit in the electoral process and restore faith in credible polls; the flaws associated with recent elections must not be allowed to rear its ugly head any further.

It is important, however, that both the executive and legislative arms of government assist INEC in the onerous duty of sanctioning violators of election and electoral rules, given that INEC had several times admitted its inability to combine conduct of elections with prosecution of offenders.

The National Assembly should therefore hasten the promulgation of relevant laws to establish Electoral Offences Commission and Electoral Offences Tribunal, where the cases cannot be conveniently handled by the normal court system. Punishing election offenders according to law remains key to sanitising the election process.