Electoral Commission Chief Urges Civil Society to Intensify Scrutiny of Party Primaries and Local Elections
In a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to increase their scrutiny of political party primaries and local government elections. Yakubu made the appeal during a meeting with a coalition of CSOs led by Yinusa Ya’u at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Yakubu emphasized the critical role of party primaries in shaping the quality of elected officials, highlighting the need for greater oversight of local government elections managed by State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs). He commended the contributions of civil society to the democratic process, but noted a gap in their engagement with local elections. Yakubu stressed that while civil society has been instrumental in improving the quality of elections, local government elections often dominated by SIECs do not receive enough attention.
The INEC Chairman also emphasized that flawed party primaries negatively affect the entire electoral process, as citizens can only vote for the candidates presented by political parties. He encouraged CSOs to offer constructive criticism to help improve the electoral system, urging a comprehensive approach to election monitoring that focuses on all components of the process.
Yakubu pointed out that while INEC conducts secondary elections, political parties conduct primaries, and it is the latter that determines the candidates on the ballot. He added that elections at the local government level are conducted by SIECs, which often declare all ruling party candidates as winners, with little to no scrutiny from civil society.
In response, Mr. Yinusa Z. Ya’u, representing the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to democracy and electoral integrity. He highlighted ongoing efforts to mobilize citizens for Permanent Voter Card collection and to promote peaceful elections in Edo State.
Yakubu’s appeal to CSOs underscores the importance of a collaborative effort to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process. By intensifying their scrutiny of party primaries and local government elections, CSOs can play a crucial role in promoting transparency, accountability, and democracy in the country.
