INEC and the challenge of public trust

In every democracy, elections hold significance beyond mere voting and tallying, as they hinge upon the public's confidence in the institutions tasked with election management. In Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shoulders this responsibility. As the country approaches the 2027 general elections, a critical inquiry arises: Do Nigerians still hold confidence in INEC and the electoral process?

The issue of public trust gained prominence following the 2023 general elections. The European Union Election Observation Mission highlighted weaknesses in election conduct, asserting that some issues undermined Nigerians' trust in INEC. Technology was deployed to bolster the electoral process, with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal, IReV, introduced to enhance transparency and bolster result credibility.

However, challenges emerged during the 2023 election, particularly in uploading results to IReV, leading to delays that sparked questions and concerns among voters and political parties.

This underscores the notion that technology alone cannot resolve all election issues; proper communication, transparency, and clear explanations from INEC during crises are equally vital. Another concern lies in the voters register, where INEC has raised alarms over duplicate registrations, non-citizen registrations, and the inclusion of deceased individuals. Such discrepancies can erode public confidence in the electoral process.

Voter turnout, too, remains a cause for concern. According to INEC, the proportion of Nigerians participating in presidential elections has declined over the past decade. Turnout dwindled from 53.7% in 2011 to 26.7% in 2023. When voters perceive their ballots as inconsequential, they may opt not to cast them, further diminishing electoral participation and potentially weakening democratic norms.

However, the challenge of public trust transcends INEC's purview. Political parties, politicians, security agencies, the media, civil society groups, and voters all bear crucial responsibilities. Political entities must adhere to electoral rules and refrain from disseminating misleading information. In the event of election result disputes, established legal avenues exist for challenge resolution.

The media, as a cornerstone of democracy, shoulders the responsibility of delivering accurate information about voter registration, election procedures, and results to counter misinformation, especially on social media platforms.

For INEC, transparency emerges as a linchpin as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections. The commission must communicate candidly with Nigerians, elucidating steps taken to rectify past election shortcomings. INEC has released its timetable for the 2027 general elections, with the presidential and National Assembly elections slated for January 16, 2027, and governorship and State House of Assembly elections planned for February 6, 2027.

This anticipatory window affords INEC the opportunity to address concerns raised by Nigerians and stakeholders.

Ultimately, rebuilding public confidence in the electoral process necessitates more than mere assurances. Nigerians eagerly await tangible evidence of transparency, judicious technology application, effective communication, and equitable execution of electoral rules. At its core, the credibility of an election transcends the victor, reflecting whether the electorate perceives the process as fair and transparent.

For Nigeria, restoring public faith in democracy will remain a paramount objective in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.