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INEC awaits Senate request to conduct Anambra South senatorial by-election

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it has yet to receive an official request from the Senate to organize a by-election in Anambra South Senatorial District following the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that Dr. Elizabeth Agu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ dialogue held in Awka on Thursday.

The event, organized by the International Press Centre (IPC), was themed “Rebuilding Trust in the Electoral Process and Election.”

Speaking at the dialogue, Agu stated that while INEC had made logistical preparations for the by-election, it could not proceed until the Senate officially communicated its request for the replacement of the vacant seat.

She urged politicians and stakeholders in Anambra to adhere to electoral guidelines as the state prepared for its November 8 governorship election.

Agu assured the public that INEC would ensure a transparent process where votes would count.

“INEC is prepared to conduct the Anambra South Senatorial District by-election, but the Senate must formally request the process before we can proceed,” Agu said.

The by-election became necessary after Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in July 2024.

Despite the vacancy, INEC remains unable to act without the requisite communication from the National Assembly.

Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and former REC in Anambra, delivered the keynote address at the event.

He emphasized that rebuilding public trust was essential for ensuring credible elections in Nigeria.

Orji noted that voter apathy was a significant issue and stemmed from widespread distrust in the electoral process, including concerns over integrity and competence.

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According to him, public trust in elections is influenced by various factors such as fraud, irregularities, unprofessional conduct by electoral officials, a weak legal framework, and partisan bias.

He commended INEC for involving other societal stakeholders in the electoral process as a way of boosting transparency and trust.

“To enhance public trust, INEC has taken steps like transferring the announcement of election results to university vice-chancellors, which reflects a commitment to fairness,” Orji stated.

Agu’s remarks and Orji’s lecture highlighted the importance of addressing public skepticism in elections.

They agreed that trust could either grow or diminish based on the actions of stakeholders and the perceived integrity of the process.

The Chairman of the dialogue, Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, who is also a former REC in Enugu State and the Convener of the Nigeria Democracy Clinic, stressed the need for collaboration among all electoral stakeholders.

He identified civil society organizations, security agencies, and the general public as key players in ensuring free and fair elections.

Ononamadu also cautioned against the role of “political prophets” who make predictions about election outcomes, noting that such forecasts create unnecessary pressure on voters and INEC officials.

“An effective election process requires synergy among all stakeholders. Political predictions, while common, can undermine public confidence and increase tensions during elections,” he added.

During his welcome address, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), expressed optimism about improving Nigeria’s electoral process.

Represented by Stella Nwofia, IPC’s Programme Manager, Arogundade noted the large turnout at the event as a sign of stakeholders’ commitment to enhancing democratic governance.

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He pledged that the IPC would share recommendations from the dialogue with relevant authorities to strengthen electoral processes across Nigeria.

“Our goal is to gather insights from all geopolitical zones in Nigeria, focusing on rebuilding trust and fostering cooperation to improve future elections. The 2023 general elections revealed complexities that must be addressed, but with collective effort, we can restore integrity to our democratic system,” Arogundade said.

Agu’s assurance that INEC would conduct credible elections and Orji’s analysis of trust deficits underscored the need for urgent reforms.

With the governorship election in Anambra just months away, stakeholders emphasized that public confidence in INEC and other institutions would be critical.

While INEC awaits the Senate’s request for the by-election, the dialogue served as a platform to address broader issues affecting Nigeria’s electoral process.

Participants called for increased transparency, accountability, and collaboration to rebuild public trust and ensure that the upcoming elections reflect the will of the people.

As the discussions concluded, there was consensus on the need to tackle voter apathy and other challenges plaguing Nigeria’s elections.

Stakeholders agreed that strengthening INEC’s capacity and addressing systemic issues would pave the way for more credible and participatory elections.

The event not only highlighted INEC’s readiness to conduct elections but also reinforced the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in ensuring that democratic values are upheld in the country.

With the ongoing dialogue, the hope remains that reforms will lead to improved elections and restore trust in the electoral process.


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