The Nigerian government, political parties, electoral, and security agencies have been advised by the International Crisis Group (ICG) to intensify efforts on four priority areas in order to achieve free and fair elections in 2023.
The “Countdown Begins on Nigeria’s Crucial 2023 Elections” backgrounder was made public on Friday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices, as well as enhancing security in the North-West and South-East zones, are among the concerns, according to the Brussels-based conflict prevention and peacebuilding group.
ICG calls for an end to the destructive fights between the major parties since they are escalating tensions that could lead to more widespread violence during and after the elections.
The third objective is for INEC to solidify the arrangements, particularly by assuring a valid voter registration list and smooth electronic results transmission across the country.
ICG also exhorts anti-corruption organizations to prevent vote buying by stepping up their scrutiny of banks and politicians.
In terms of their nationwide distribution, the challenges mentioned in the statement are unparalleled.
“These include violence by armed organizations connected to, or posing as, Biafra separatist agitators in the South-East, a decade-long Islamist insurgency in some parts of the North-East, as well as various armed groups in the North-West and North-Central zones.
The preparations for the election are being hampered by these organizations’ activities, particularly their attacks on INEC offices and highway traffic, which could lower voter turnout or taint some constituencies’ ballots completely.
ICG condemns the rise of false information, misleading information, hate speech, bullying, and intimidation on social media, as well as the actions of vigilantes and paid thugs frightening opposition candidates in several states.
The group voiced worry about the national security adviser’s admission that 52 episodes of election-related violence were reported by police in 22 states between September 28, 2022, and November 11, 2022, according to retired Major General Babagana Monguno.
The magnitude of vote buying during the elections could be unparalleled. Some politicians and their parties are already coming up with new plans to buy votes and even voters’ cards from impoverished and vulnerable persons due to INEC’s recently implemented protections against vote rigging.
Noting that Nigeria will celebrate 24 years of uninterrupted democracy in 2023 with elections, ICG urged people to use their rights and gave advice to all parties involved to follow the rules.
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