“The First Thing We Want to See in the New Electoral Act is to Have All Elections on the Same Day” – Dr. Chinedu Obi, Director-General, IPAC

Posted by Grace Abuh
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On a recent episode of ‘Electoral Reform Half Hour’ aired on NTA News 24, Prince (Dr) Chinedu Obi, the Director-General of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), emphasized the need for a significant reform in Nigeria’s electoral system: holding all elections on the same day. This proposal, which received unanimous support from all 19 political parties under IPAC, aims to reduce costs, enhance logistics, and prevent the “bandwagon effect,” where early wins in staggered elections influence the outcomes of subsequent ones.

During the program, Dr. Obi articulated that simultaneous elections would help maintain Nigeria’s multi-party system, which is increasingly at risk of being undermined. He explained that conducting elections on the same day would ensure fairer competition and minimize the dominance of larger parties. “The first thing we want to see in the new electoral act is to have all elections on the same day. This will save costs, reduce logistical challenges, and prevent a shift towards a one-party system,” he stated.

Dr. Obi also addressed the logistical issues that have disrupted past elections, particularly the challenges faced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 elections. He suggested that in the event of significant disruptions, elections should be cancelled and rescheduled instead of relying on discretion. “If there’s a hitch, the election should be redone to maintain fairness and transparency,” he added.

Furthermore, he called for the unbundling of INEC into three separate bodies: one for election management, one for voter registration, and one for addressing electoral malpractices. This restructuring, he argued, would improve the commission’s efficiency and bolster public confidence in the electoral process.

Dr. Obi also proposed that the President’s role in appointing INEC officials should be removed, advocating for a more neutral selection process involving civil society and the National Assembly. “The executive should not appoint the umpire, as they are participants in the election. We need a constitutional provision that ensures neutrality,” he emphasized.

Additionally, he stressed the importance of imposing stringent penalties for electoral offenses, calling for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to ensure swift prosecution of offenders. “We need serious penalties, not just fines, to hold those responsible for electoral malpractice accountable,” he noted.

Dr. Obi highlighted the importance of promoting internal party democracy and inclusivity, stating that many electoral disputes arise from improper internal processes within political parties. IPAC is committed to ensuring greater participation from women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the political process. He expressed support for legislation that would create special seats for women in government to ensure fair representation.

In terms of technology, Dr. Obi advocated for the full deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) throughout the electoral process. He suggested that all aspects, from voter registration to the transmission of results, should be conducted electronically to prevent manipulation and enhance transparency. “Electronic voting and result transmission are essential to avoiding the criminality often seen during manual collation,” he remarked.

The discussion also included the need for diaspora voting and early voting for specific groups, such as security personnel and media workers on duty during elections. Dr. Obi pointed out that with over 20 million Nigerians living abroad, allowing them to vote would enhance inclusivity and ensure that every Nigerian’s voice is heard. “Enabling our large diaspora population to vote would significantly impact credible leadership in the country,” he said.

Concluding the program, Dr. Chinedu Obi reaffirmed IPAC’s commitment to advocating for reforms that ensure a fairer and more transparent electoral process in Nigeria. He emphasized the importance of continuously refining democracy and expressed optimism that the proposals discussed would help strengthen the country’s democratic framework. “The worst democracy is still better than any other form of government,” he asserted.