Despite the frenetic campaign and advertisement war being waged by political parties, the debate making the rounds is whether or not the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is indeed ready to deliver free, fair and credible elections as promised by the Commission chairman, Attahiru Jega. As apprehension and fear give way to forlornness over the polls, the ominous uncertainty over the electoral process took a turn for the worse after a test run of card readers in selected states, turned out to be outright disappointment for prospective voters, whose fingerprints were not recognized by the machines to match what was in the voters register. When other complications, including the vexing issue of voters’ card distribution are considered, it becomes imaginable what magic would be performed for a hitch-free election.
Media reports said in a bid to address the challenge thrown up by the card readers, INEC officials were forced to use detergent and water to wash dust off the fingers of the voters before allowing them to place their fingers on the card reader machine, which also did not help matters. Although INEC officials have put a bold face on the issue, saying the test run was overall, satisfactory, some stakeholders have expressed concern over the technology, contending it might complicate the electoral process. It did not help that it took at least a minute to accredit one voter, and the machine lost 40% of its power after just two hours. INEC defended the card reader, saying the equipment will add value to the credibility of the polls. The commission said it is also “doing everything humanly possible” in addition to other logistical deployment to be able to conduct a hitch-free poll that will be fair, credible, and remarkably better than the 2011 elections.
Given that accreditation of voters will start at 9:00am and end at 12:00pm, the card reader will be able to read 180 voters cards in three hours. This being the case, what then happens in polling stations with 500 voters or more?” And, surely, this should elicit suspicion when Nigerians ask how INEC intend to go about these challenges? The two main political parties, the ruling PDP and the main opposition APC have traded accusation over the card readers, with the APC alleging that the PDP’s public opposition to the use of card readers is evidence that the ruling party is doing all in its powers to either prevent the election from holding or to rig it.
It appears that a dark cloud of mistrust now overshadows the polity and Nigerians cannot have elections when they have no trust in the electoral process. INEC must, therefore, produce a detailed map of what it wants to do, and then tell Nigerians how it intends to do it in the remaining two weeks. The outrage already expressed by Nigerians and the international community after the vote was postponed to March 28, ostensibly on security grounds, speaks volume of how low the credibility of INEC has descended. That such worrisome lapses still cloud the build-up to the vote, is an ominous revelation of what the days ahead hold.
The controversy over the card readers is suggestive of the anxiety over the coming elections. The public mood is clearly at variance with Jega, who for the umpteenth time has assured Nigerians that there is no going back on March 28. But is Jega, with his team, ready at all? Since 2012, a year after the 2011 elections, INEC has tried to convince Nigerians that the 2015 elections would be much better that the previous ones. Having claimed to have learnt bitter lessons from the 2011 elections, INEC claimed to have come to the realization that a truly free and fair election depended on credible voters’ card. Enter the Permanent Voters Card. Concerning the PVCs, Jega told Nigerians three years ago that INEC would commence distribution in early 2013. When 2013 came, he announced again that the PVCs would be ready by the end of 2013. The foot-dragging entered 2014, and INEC fixed distribution for June and September, even though people did not begin to get the PVCs until December. Now, there are over 20 million PVCs awaiting distribution.
Amongst other things, INEC has to grapple with logistics such as codifying and serial-numbering of documents, and list of voters which must be signed by party reps. It also has to contend with the fact that the propensity to rig election is higher than before and that the present politicians are no different. Above all, it must recognize that the election, with its rescheduled date, has been internationally publicized. As such, there is no going back. This is catch-22 number 1.
It is also pertinent that Nigerians consider the situation they would have to contend with in this election. Firstly, it is a fact that the insecurity in the northeast does not augur well for a free and fair election, notwithstanding INEC’s resolve to conduct elections in the area. Whilst the government is under pains of abnegation of its responsibilities if it fails to ensure that elections are conducted all over the country, elections where three states are excised is a surrender of the nation’s sovereignty. Either way, it is another catch-22. Beyond the cacophony of empty promises being relayed at campaigns, will an election that fails to pay attention to these issues be conclusive? Will it be said to represent Nigeria? Will a situation of a non-release of an election result not be far worse than that of a non-election?
In the face of this ominous uncertainty, Jega must allay the fears of Nigerians, by telling the truth about whatever problems INEC is encountering at this moment. If, as he claims, election would hold as rescheduled, then INEC must do everything possible to get things right. For a start, voters without PVCs should be allowed to obtain it at their polling stations on election day, prior to casting their ballot. If this fails, voters should be allowed to use their temporary voters’ card. The government will do well to also declare a work-free day to enable people to go out and vote. Jega must keep Nigerians informed and INEC should, as a matter of policy, hold a press conference daily to update Nigerians on progress made until election day.
As it stands, the situation has given vent to all kinds of doomsday predictions. Should there be any attempt to postpone the election again, it is likely there may be no election at all. This is a recipe for unfathomable political chaos. What this means is that, the forthcoming elections transcend candidates and their parties, and encompasses the soul of Nigeria. The tension now is so thick that its palpitation vibrates beyond Nigeria. Jega better be warned. Since he assumed office in July 2010, there has been relative calm and decency of conduct in INEC. His first assignment; the 2011 elections was rated high compared to previous elections that were roundly condemned by domestic and international observers. Jega’s personal reputation for integrity has also contributed to the general perception that the electoral umpire is in good hands. He dare not betray this trust, because the country will be the worse for it.
