By Chimezie Godfrey
#TrackNigeria; The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to avoid the use of ‘inconclusive elections’ to subvert peoples mandate in the just concluded governorship and state assembly elections.
The Centre also asked the Commission to uphold uniformity, equity and justice in the announcements of electoral results to ensure free, fair and credible outcomes that will be acceptable to all.
A statement by the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani said the Centre was concerned about the outcome of the gubernatorial elections in some states of the Federation.
In particular, CISLAC stated that it is particularly worried that elections in some states including Sokoto, Bauchi, Adamawa, Plateau and Kano States were declared inconclusive.
Rafsanjani said the apparent disproportionate declaration of the state electoral outcomes by INEC, especially across the states whose results were declared inconclusive called for concern.
“While we express worries over the reported uncertainty and unusual delay that grip declaration of electoral results across the affected states some days after the elections, we call on the electoral body to uphold uniformity, equity and justice in the announcements to ensure free, fair and credible outcomes that will be acceptable to all.
“We are surprised at the fragmented reaction by the electoral body towards outcome declaration in the affected states, as such is capable of heightening electoral distrust and apathy. Nothing in the declaration of the elections inclusive should be used as a means of subverting the popular will of the people.
“In recent times, the electoral process has been heated with series of provocative statements, destructive arguments and negative utterances that can impair our national democracy, as observed in the emerging verbal attacks and derogatory statements trending among political parties rather than discourse on developments.
“We on this note call for calmness, objectivity and total respect for the rule of law in response to issues to avert tension and situation that can exacerbate electoral violence across the country.
“We are not unaware of the reported electoral violence with resultant killings and destruction of property as witnessed in some states, while we call on security agencies to ensure appropriate justice for arrested perpetrators and apprehend other suspects without fear or favour.
“We find it unacceptable and unwelcome development, persistent threats by violence mongers or political hoodlums working to hurt the unity, peace and stability of Nigeria.
“We condemn all manner of unguarded statements that have inimical impact on the corporate existence of the country or ridicule the country’s image.
“We without reservation reiterate our demand for the immediate arrest and prosecution of any person or group of persons threatening violence or instigating crisis of any form during and after the general elections.
“We encourage INEC to maintain high-level of integrity in the nation’s electoral process, and ensure pronouncements are made in accordance with rule of law, and not political sentiment.
“We also call on the youths to never allow themselves be used by irresponsible politicians to create electoral violence.” CISLAC said.
