2023 Guber Polls: Disparities Erupt Among APC, LP, IPAC As Doubts Over INEC’s Credibility Heightens
- The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently facing serious criticism in the aftermath of the presidential polls
- More doubts have once again been raised over the credibility of the commission in the build-up to the gubernatorial polls
- Less than 72 hours to the gubernatorial polls, the commission announced the postponement of the election
FCT, Abuja - The credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has once again been questioned in the build-up to the 2023 gubernatorial and state parliament elections.
This follows the electoral commission's decision to shift the elections from Saturday, March 11, to Saturday, March 18.
Source: Facebook
The electoral commission's decision to postpone the election was greeted with criticism from various political parties and pressure groups.
On why the election was postponed, the INEC said the shift was done based on the commission's inability to reconfigure the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS)machines on time.
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This was after the appellate court approved the commission to carry out the reconfiguration of all the BVAS machine used for the presidential polls, a task the commission confirmed would take five days.
Labour Party reacts to INEC's postponement of guber polls
Reacting to the postponement and reconfiguration of the BVAS machine, the Labour Party said the handling of the presidential polls by the electoral has derailed the confidence level of Nigerians in them.
The party said INEC could no longer be trusted, and its credibility has been distorted across all parameters, Vanguard newspaper reported.
Contrastingly, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) backed the decision of INEC to postpone the election, noting that it is an opportunity for the electoral body to be better prepared and correct the shortcomings of the presidential polls.
IPAC warned INEC that there would be no room for excuses this time when the configuration of the BVAS machine is done and dusted.
2023 guber polls: APC backs INEC's postponement, gives reason
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) backs INEC's decision to move the gubernatorial and state legislative election a week further from the original date.
The APC says it is backing the electoral commission's decision for a postponement because it will allow them to address prevalent technical issues it encountered during the presidential polls.
APC's spokesperson, Felix Morka said:
“Further, we enjoin INEC to use the opportunity presented by the election postponement to address any gaps or hitches identified in the presidential election in order to avoid a reoccurrence in the March 18, election."
APC Issues Strong Warning to INEC Over Postponement of 2023 Governorship Election, Gives Reason
Meanwhile, INEC has been urged to ensure that it fixes the gaps in Nigeria's election process.
The call was made by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday, March 9.
According to the party, some of the challenges experienced during the presidential and National Assembly elections should be addressed.
Court Gives Verdict on Electronic Transmission of Results ahead of March 18 Elections
In another development, the Labour Party (LP) has lost its bid to compel INEC to only use the electronic method in the transmission of the 2023 election results.
The party had through its counsel asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to give an order that INEC cannot opt for manual transmission of results.
However, the presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, ruled that the Electoral Act 2022 gives INEC the liberty to determine how election results will be transmitted.
Source: Legit.ng
