2023 Polls: INEC flopped; election lacked trust, transparency - EU report

The European Union Observers Mission, EU, has submitted the final report of the 2023 general election.

In its report, the EU said it scored the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC low because the election the commission conducted lacked transparency and trust.

The EU made this known in Abuja, on Tuesday, June 27 at the release of its final post-election report.

The report also blamed the shortcomings of the electoral laws and administration of the electoral body that damaged public trust and confidence.

The EU report reads:

“The widely welcomed Electoral Act 2022 (the 2022 Act) introduced measures aimed at building stakeholder trust.

"However, the Act’s first test in a general election revealed crucial gaps in terms of INEC’s accountability and transparency, proved to be insufficiently elaborated, and lacked clear provisions for timely and efficient implementation.

“Weak points include a lack of INEC independent structures and capacities to enforce sanctions for electoral offences and breaches of campaign finance rules."

The EU also stated that the INEC leadership both at the federal and state levels does not depict true democracy.

“Closer to the polls some started to doubt INEC’s administrative and operational efficiency and in-house capacity.

"Public confidence gradually decreased and was severely damaged on 25 February due to its operational failures and lack of transparency.

“While some corrective measures introduced before the 18 March elections were effective, overall trust was not restored,” The EU report said.