INEC And Unending Poll Postponement By Carl Umegboro

INARGUABLY, February 16, 2019 has become a date Nigerians may
never forget in their calendars. It was indeed an exceptionally
‘inactive’ Saturday in history; without any wedding ceremonies,
launching, burial or any events across the nation.

Nigeria’s electoral umpire; the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) had scheduled the Presidential and National
Assembly elections on the date, but at eleventh hour dashed the
high hopes of the population who had waited earnestly to either
renew or reassign mandates to candidates of their choices, as they
woke up with a shocking breaking news pinpointing to postponement
of the polls. It was like a mirage as all ardent electorates had
travelled to their respective domain for electoral franchise
including President Muhammadu Buhari to Daura. Buhari retired at
home for the election after APC mega rally in Katsina on Thursday
14 February.

Amidst the quandary, INEC’s chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu
confirmed the rumour alluding logistic reasons for the
postponements. However, prior to the episode, INEC had consistently
assured the nation of readiness to conduct a credible election. The
Presidency at a point mounted pressure on the National Assembly for
approval of INEC’s budget for the general elections which after
some hitches was finally approved. Subsequent to the approval,
citizens ecstatically expected that funding of the election would
take care of all the necessaries and looked forward to having a
successful election as repeatedly guaranteed by the
authorities.

Regrettably, in a space of two week close to the schedule,
repulsive news of infernos on the commission’s offices at Abia,
Anambra and plateau states which reportedly destroyed scores of
election materials were broken. These acts are barbaric,
senselessness and above all, criminal acts that should be condemned
by all well-meaning Nigerians. It rather epitomized lack of decorum
and sportsmanship as witnessed at Ogun rally recently, and boils
down to needfulness of orientation in the society. Politics should
be friendly played as a game as done in other countries without
bitterness or taken too far. INEC’s records equally showed other
odds in few other states, yet the commission determinedly,
reiterated its position to deliver as scheduled.

Objectively, could these ugly developments sufficiently lead to
sudden postponement of the election scheduled some months ago? To
start with, it is essentially important to note that any failure to
hold a Presidential election across all the thirty-six states of
the federation alongside federal capital territory on the same day
will render the poll inconclusive which will not be accepted by all
let alone its concomitant repercussions. Again, it wouldn’t augur
well for any losing side to know its fate prior to the conclusion
of all voting. Logically, if essential materials were destroyed few
days to the date and cannot be reproduced accordingly within time,
a short postponement though timely is germane. Should INEC equally
be damned over unforeseen circumstances spearheaded by disgruntled
elements? The answer is emphatically not affirmative.

However, the Police should take the incident as a call for sober
reflection. INEC offices nationwide should be maximally protected
during election periods towards circumventing such predicaments in
future. The cost implications alone are enormous as most
electorates travelled long distances only to suddenly meet the
unexpected gaffe. Conversely, that’s where patriotism and
nation-building play out as no sacrifice is too much for one’s
nation. No doubt, the postponement was painful; nonetheless, one
good message it clearly passed is the indisputable independence of
the umpire from the executive as President Buhari too was a victim.
The paramount factor as INEC reiterated is a glaringly credible,
free and fair election that will make winners and losers
convincingly know their true sociopolitical worth. Thus, INEC
deserves fair judgment particularly with objectivity.

Ultimately, Nigeria as the professed giant of Africa cannot
remain anachronistic but should critically plan to embrace full
digitalized electoral system, against the existing analogue method
that compulsorily involves physical, paper and printing materials.
In advanced countries, nothing can ever interfere with a scheduled
election as citizens freely vote online even while on bed or other
places. Hence, there is nothing to set ablaze or anyone to accuse
of vote buying or selling.

Again, the volume of public funds budgeted for manual elections
every quadrennial season could be prudently channeled to other
areas that will maximally improve the standard of living of people.
INEC should be thinking critically towards migrating to online
voting in few years time, though the great challenge is the high
population that are not digital compliant and may be
disenfranchised in online voting. Probably, a special scheme could
be earmarked for the class. Nigeria cannot continue with the same
inadequate system all over especially movement of electoral
materials in trucks across metropolis.

Above all, embracing full digital system will remedy the
systematic disenfranchisement of large populations that usually
change residential locations and unable to move to their locations
of registration, sometimes in another state as human being is
dynamic in nature. Such remedy will enable all registered voters to
vote irrespective of locations of registration instead of the
present scenario that requires compulsory physical presence at
registered polling unit.

To conclude, President Buhari exceptionally enjoined citizens in
his recent nationwide broadcast to participate freely in the
elections. The speech was indeed remarkable and symptomatic of a
statesman not minding his participation in the race. In any
democracy alongside elections, obviously, there will always be two
sides; winners and losers. Whilst the former will always have their
way, the latter – their say. Hence, a political equilibrium
attained as everyone is a stakeholder. But to take politics too
personal by destroying election materials acquired with tax payers’
money and other vices, the law will certainly take its course one
day as everyday they say is for the thief, but one day; the owner.
Nigeria is indeed at a strategic junction either to move forward or
backward. Nevertheless, synchronizing Mr. President’s appeal and
guidance, say NO to violence!

Umegboro is a public affairs analyst and Associate,
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United-Kingdom).
08173184542-SMS-only.