The rulling All Progressives Congress and the opposition events have welcomed on the proposal by the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee to section out using Everlasting Voter Playing cards for election and to additionally introduce Diaspora voting.
Whereas ruling APC wholeheartedly welcomed the proposed improvements, the opposition events, nonetheless, harped on sincerity of objective on the a part of INEC.
Final Thursday, INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, defined that the reforms, if applied, would enhance the nation’s electoral system following classes learnt from the 2023 normal elections and subsequent off-cycle polls.
Yakubu added that the fee would quickly current the proposals and some others to the related committees within the Senate and Home of Representatives.
In an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, the Nationwide Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, mentioned the ruling social gathering has no objection to the transfer, because it has at all times been on the vanguard of reforming the nation’s electoral processes.
He mentioned, “If, in its knowledge, after session and seeing what is going on in different places, INEC feels there’s a have to introduce some adjustments that can improve and add to the credibility of the electoral course of, so be it. I don’t see something improper in that.
“In any case, it’s our social gathering, the APC, that initiated some electoral reforms, together with those that INEC is speaking about now. So, we have now no objection to it, offered it should enhance the boldness of the voters. It is going to additionally make the election to be extra credible and carry the message and desires of the voters.”
When confronted with the opportunity of Nigerians rejecting the proposals over suspicion, Ibrahim disagreed.
“Nigeria is a really complicated nation to control. It doesn’t matter what you do, so long as you might be introducing adjustments, there are individuals who will include scepticism and a few with doubt.
“Some will at all times infer and suggest that the intention is mischievous and an try to commit one thing unconstitutional. No matter you do, some Nigerians will query it.
“However what issues is the sensation of the bulk. It must be launched, I don’t see something improper. But when we insist on bringing a change that will probably be accepted by 100 per cent Nigerians, no one can do this,” he said.
Additionally, the Nationwide Authorized Adviser of the Labour Occasion, Kehinde Edun, mentioned introducing diaspora voting would deal with the curiosity of Nigerians overseas, who’ve main stakes in Nigeria.
He, nonetheless, feared the opportunity of abuse.
Edun mentioned, “There will probably be worry of abuse. Many individuals have been advocating daspora voting and it’s a optimistic factor. As an example, most of our younger individuals are leaving the nation in droves. It’s as a result of they aren’t glad with the state of affairs right here.
“I consider many must be given a chance to vote from wherever they’re. Many have households right here and nonetheless help their folks in Nigeria. I do know some wouldn’t have left if issues are higher. It’s honest to offer them alternative to take part.
“Nevertheless, nothing might be utterly foolproof. As to phasing out the PVCs, I believe that will probably be all the way down to the expertise being deployed. It is because even with the PVCs, you might have a variety of social gathering brokers shopping for and stockpiling them. Every little thing is about sincerity. I believe INEC ought to make efforts to make Nigerians consider them and it’ll enhance the turnout.
“The turnout we’re having in our election now could be too poor. It exhibits that lots of people are disillusioned and not consider within the system. Enhancements must be made to make folks trust within the electoral empire once more. What they’re attempting to introduce might save prices of manufacturing these PVCs.”
The Peoples Democratic Occasion Deputy Nationwide Youth Chief, Timothy Osadolor additionally welcome the electoral improvements however mentioned efficient implementation was key.
In an unique interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, Osadolor additionally urged INEC to rid itself of corrupt people and restore its credibility.
He said, “Improvements and applied sciences are excellent, however provided that they’re genuinely not manipulated by the identical INEC and the officers who’re seated with the supervisor dealing with the processes.
“A latest living proof was in Edo, the place we noticed what number of occasions INEC edited their IREV outcomes to make them conform to the vote allocations they did in numerous elements of the state. So, you see, it’s not concerning the innovation itself. Extra importantly, it’s concerning the folks accountable for managing these applied sciences.
“Both INEC goes to sack all its employees and recruit folks from heaven, or it’s going to present coaching programs for its personnel in order that they’ll uphold excessive requirements of integrity. INEC ought to purge itself of unhealthy characters. Are they competent sufficient and have the capability to cross the integrity take a look at for such delicate positions?”
In response to him, INEC has a lot to do to achieve the belief of Nigerians.