Former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has called for a review of the electoral process, expressing concern over the increasing role of the judiciary in determining elected officials.
Jega emphasised the need to depoliticise the judiciary and address challenges arising from alleged favoritism and bribery.
He suggested amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act and tighter legal provisions to safeguard the democratic process.
Jega highlighted a recent case in the Kano State Appeal Court governorship election verdict and condemned discrepancies between certified judgments and court pronouncements.
He urged a thorough investigation to preserve the judiciary’s integrity and recommended learning from India’s model of keeping the judiciary aloof from electoral litigations.
Regarding the Electoral Act 2022, Jega acknowledged its merits but identified ambiguities and areas for improvement.
He called on the National Assembly to initiate a timely process for an enhanced legal framework before the 2027 elections.
Jega advocated reexamining the appointment process for INEC commissioners to ensure transparency and mitigate perceptions of partisanship.
Expressing concern over the influence of crooked politicians, Jega emphasised the dangers of compromising the electoral process.
He suggested a review of recent appointments of some Resident Electoral Commissioners and stressed the Senate’s role in scrutinising such appointments to prevent faulty processes.
On the 2023 election, Jega defended the overall credibility of the electoral system, acknowledging challenges but urging against a complete dismissal.
He attributed some issues to politicians circumventing the commission’s authority and emphasised the need for patience in pursuing incremental positive changes.
Jega warned against the commercialisation of elections, citing instances where politicians openly bid for votes, particularly targeting uninformed and economically vulnerable voters, mostly women.
He underscored the importance of addressing these challenges to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.