Experts Challenge INEC On Transparent Elections

The new budget proposed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2023 elections is now raising eye brows.
Last week during budget defence by INEC Chairman at the Senate, the electoral body proposed N305 billion for the conduct of 2023 elections, aside the N40billion appropriated for next year expenses.
But a political scientist and lecturer at the Rivers State University, Dr. Anthony Egobueze said the amount is suspicious.
The lecturer called on the National Assembly to fully scrutinise the proposed budget before its passed.
Dr. Egobueze in a chat with newsmen Wednesday stated that the public and stakeholders should be given a breakdown of the proposed expenses.
Arguing that it will not be transparent if INEC is allowed to go ahead of the budget, Egobueze stressed the need for more details of the budget.
“What we need now is a transparent election” Egobueze remarked,” so there is need for public confidence in the process. The consolidation process can only be achieved with a transparent election.”
The same view was held by public affairs analyst and publisher, Opunabo Inko Tariah while condemning the action of President Buhari in refusing assent to the new electoral bill.
The publisher said he is not surprised that the president failed to sign the bill into law, as since his inception, he has displayed lack of transparency and failure to support the welfare of the masses.
Tariah insisted that the new electoral bill would have improved the voting process and inject transparency in the electoral system.

By: Kevin Nengia