The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to seize the March 11 governorship elections as an opportunity to restore its reputation. In a post‑election observation report signed by TMG Chairman Auwal Rafsanjani, the group described the conduct of the February 25 general election as poor and said INEC failed to deliver a clear mandate. The report noted that TMG deployed 774 observers across all local government areas in accordance with INEC’s guidelines.
According to the TMG, INEC’s decision to abandon electronic transmission of results from polling units created suspicions of human interference and manipulation, potentially undermining the will of the voters. The statement emphasized that the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections were especially problematic because the commission rejected immediate result transmission nationwide. Despite receiving an unprecedented N355 billion—along with extensive support from the international community and civil‑society organisations—INEC did not meet Nigerians’ expectations for a credible, digitised electoral process.
The TMG observed that the National Assembly elections displayed varying levels of credibility; incumbent governors and sitting assembly members who contested and lost suggested that the system can work when applied properly. In contrast, the group believed the presidential election reflected direct manipulation of the outcome.
The organisation highlighted the benefits of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), noting that its use reduced rigging by curbing overvoting. TMG called for the continued development and expansion of such technology, asserting that digitisation is essential for improving Nigeria’s electoral system.
Finally, TMG appealed to citizens not to let their spirits be dampened as the March 11 governorship and state assembly elections approach, urging large, peaceful voter turnout. It also urged INEC to redeem itself by conducting a more credible election on that date.
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