NGO Suggests RoadmapTo INEC’s Credibility

A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Right to Know (R2K), has called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that Nigerians have access to information on the electoral process, if it wants to restore its credibility.

A statement signed by its National Co-ordinator, Ene Enonche, in Abuja on Friday, stated that a transparent and accountable process for credible voters register and effective public participation “remains the surest way of restoring the much needed INEC credibility.”

While congratulating Prof. Attahiru Jega on his appointment as the new INEC Chair, R2K noted that conducting an election in Nigeria under the current configuration of INEC in less than a year would be a herculean task.

It, however, added that “it is encouraging that Jega had already itemised, during his screening in the Senate, the need to generate a comprehensive voters’ register as one of his priorities.”

The organisation indicated that the masses needed to be well-informed about the electoral process “through unfettered access to information on the entire electoral process to tackle the challenges ahead.

“Information about the voters’ register should be readily available and accessible to all, in line with the recommendations of the Justice Lawal Uwais’ electoral report.

“The way to guarantee sincerity of purpose and win the confidence of the Nigerian people is to institute a transparent and accountable electoral process that empowers Nigerians to request for and get timely information from INEC on the preparation for the 2011 elections.

“With these, our recent political history laced with memories of ballot-box snatching, inflation of voters register, among others, could be effectively resolved.

“If media reports about Jega are factual in their description of him as a person who cannot be intimidated, manipulated, coerced or bought over, it gives us some encouragement that he would have no squabbles in respecting and promoting the right of Nigerians.”

R2K offered a hand of fellowship to the new INEC leadership to work to ensure the promotion and protection of the right to know of the average Nigerian viz-a-viz elections and the electoral process.