The Independent National Electoral Commission has refuted claims that Nigerians have lost faith in the electoral process, citing recent voter registration figures and election outcomes as evidence of public trust.
INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, stated that the surge in the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, particularly among young Nigerians, indicates that citizens still have confidence in the electoral system.
Within the first week of the CVR portal going live, over 1.3 million Nigerians pre-registered online. By the fifth week, more than 5.3 million citizens had uploaded their details. Additionally, 764,695 Nigerians completed their registration process within the first month, either by finishing their online pre-registration or registering physically. “The data shows a resilient democracy that enjoys the trust of the Nigerian people,” Oyekanmi emphasized.
The recent bye-elections demonstrate Nigerians’ continued engagement with the electoral process, with nine political parties occupying seats in State Assemblies. Oyekanmi attributed the success of these elections to the improvements made to the electoral system, highlighting the 2023 general election as a testament to INEC’s reforms.
The 2023 general election produced the most diverse National Assembly since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, with seven political parties winning Senate seats and eight securing representation in the House of Representatives. Oyekanmi noted that critics of INEC lack convincing evidence to support their claims.
Oyekanmi emphasized that the voter registration figures and election outcomes are a testament to the public’s trust in the electoral system. “The surge in the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, particularly among young Nigerians, indicates that citizens still have confidence in the electoral system,” he stated.
The Independent National Electoral Commission remains committed to ensuring the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. INEC’s efforts to improve the electoral system have yielded positive results, with the commission continuing to work towards strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
INEC’s reforms have been instrumental in promoting a more inclusive and representative electoral process. The commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability has earned it the trust of the Nigerian people.
