Jonathan, Jega Condemn Political Influence In Electoral Appointments

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Chairman of the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega have raised considerations over political interference within the appointments of electoral commissioners.

Jonathan and Jega expressed their displeasure on Tuesday after they addressed attendees at a convention hosted by the pro-democracy and advocacy organisation Yiaga Africa, in Abuja.

On the occasion titled ‘Reflection Convention on Democratic Elections in West Africa,’ Jonathan mentioned, “In Nigeria, you possibly can’t get an correct rely of votes as a result of I imagine that we’ve got too many ghost voters.

“We will need to have credible folks. From what (ex-INEC Chairman, Attahiru) Jega mentioned, political leaders who’re so domineering will pressurise you to do what’s incorrect; it is best to have the ability to resign and go away. It is best to have the ability to resign and stroll away, please.

“If we don’t have this type of folks, then we’re in bother. And I don’t need any INEC official to say I used to be pressurised. If you’re accepting to be Chairman of INEC or to be a commissioner of INEC, then you need to be able to say, ‘If I’m pressurised to do what’s incorrect, I’ll deal with the democratic folks and stroll away’.

“And if we don’t have such folks managing our electoral administration our bodies, if what we’ve got are individuals who will proceed to go in a circle, we is not going to get what we wish.”

Jonathan additional underscored the need of robust and moral management in electoral administration to keep away from a flawed electoral system and advocated for a strong framework to make sure credible elections.

“When each events are robust, and the system can’t be manipulated, solely actual human beings will forged and their votes will rely,” he affirmed.

The previous President condemned the regionalisation of the electoral course of which has affected all sides, together with non secular teams.

“Generally, if I take heed to the prediction by non secular women and men and so forth, their predictions are likely to go in the direction of the regional curiosity. So, when the electoral course of is so regionalised, we’re going to have points. And that might be managed by de-emphasising type of key areas.”

He additionally pointed to the challenges confronting elections in Sierra Leone and Senegal, the place allegations of irregularities, together with voter intimidation, ethnic tensions, and controversial outcomes undermined the polls.

“Late final 12 months, Ghana performed common elections which had been certainly profitable, regardless of the applying of restricted know-how. The nation, with a popularity of being one in every of Africa’s most steady democracies, lived as much as this billing by conducting peaceable polling and clean switch of energy.

“The Electoral Fee of Ghana and the safety authorities performed an important function in guaranteeing the elections had been free, truthful, and clear, thereby demonstrating that Ghana’s democratic establishments and processes have continued to be resilient, even with restricted know-how.

“Two different nations, Liberia and Senegal additionally performed common elections with restricted deployment of know-how. In these nations, the processes had been typically peaceable, clear, and credible with a excessive voter turnout.

“Within the case of Liberia, incumbent President George Weah conceded defeat to the opposition candidate Joseph Boakai after a carefully contested runoff, setting a optimistic instance for democratic transitions within the area.

“The pre-election interval in Senegal was notably marred by protests, arrests of opposition figures, and considerations concerning the independence of the judiciary. Nevertheless, it was pleasing to watch that after the election course of kicked in, the polling processes progressed with out hitches, leading to a free and truthful consequence.’’

For his half, Prof. Jega highlighted persistent challenges limiting democratic improvement in West Africa.

“Political interference within the appointment (and/or removing) of electoral commissioners and different electoral administration physique officers; intimidation/concentrating on of electoral officers to make sure desired outcomes; obstruction of authorized reforms to increase EMB powers (for instance to strengthen oversight of marketing campaign finance) or extra broadly present for extra inclusive electoral processes.

“Introduction of guidelines that allow fraud or manipulation, for instance by weak rules round registration or voting procedures, or strategic adjustments to electoral legal guidelines which considerably favour incumbents.

“The withholding of funds and different sources from electoral operations and makes an attempt to discredit the EMB,” Jega acknowledged.

He added that residents, civil society organisations, and alter drivers ought to proceed mobilising successfully for credible elections.