Nigerians Warn INEC Against Inconclusive Elections in 2019

Nigerians Warn INEC Against Inconclusive Elections in 2019

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Yakubu Mahmoud on Friday stated that the commission could not guarantee that the general elections in 2019 would not join a list of inconclusive elections so far recorded under his leadership.

The INEC chairman was paying a visit to the Ogun state office of popular newspaper, Punch when he made the comment, citing violence and over-voting as some of the reasons responsible for inconclusive elections.

He said any attempt to give such an assurance that the 2019 elections would be conclusive would at best amount to second-guessing the outcome of the election.

Prof Mahmoud however stated that if everyone, including the staff of the commission, the voters, politicians and other stakeholders, play by the rules, there would be no inconclusive election.

“The constitution of this country provides condition for making return in an election. If that threshold is not met, can INEC make a declaration? We can’t, under the law, and if you do so the court will nullify the election and then we incur costs to do the election again.

“As to what will happen in 2019, only God knows, but we will abide by the provisions of the constitution, the electoral law and our guidelines in making declarations. We can only hope for the best,” he said.

A number of Nigerians have however reacted in strong terms to the INEC chairman’s assertions, citing incompetence and partisanship as possible reasons the electoral umpire has been unable to organise conclusive elections.

@inecnigeria @idysteel but you will announce same results in favor of APC months later. You will reap ur reward

— Amapopping (@Orikaeze1) August 19, 2016

Henceforth, we say no to inconclusive election. Anything short of conclusive election will be resisted.

— abbamsada (@abbahsada) August 20, 2016

I do belief INEC shouldn’t be making comments like 2019 election may likely be Inconclusive. They shouldn’t at all https://t.co/vif8LlIH0S

— Poju (@pojugreat) August 20, 2016

@inecnigeria You should seriously consider incompetent to your list of deficiencies.

— Remi Bailey (@Palmlag) August 19, 2016

If u see something, say something. We no gree to this wayyo. APC INEC INCONCLUSIVE ELECTION. pic.twitter.com/0u3xu4hAlQ

— abbamsada (@abbahsada) August 20, 2016

@inecnigeria ,Is it the first time we are having violence or threat in Nigeria,that u would hold every body ransom for a pocket of violence.

— clive Osarogiagbon (@Clivex1) August 19, 2016

There were however a few citizens who urged INEC to focus on the task ahead so as to deliver credible and conclusive elections, noting that it was impossible to please everyone.

@inecnigeria please work according to rules n regulations guiding polls; never mind their wild goose accusations! U can’t satisfy all

— Zahra Hamma (@zahra_hamma) August 20, 2016

There have been a number of inconclusive rerun elections in recent months, with one of the most popular ones – the Rivers legislative rerun elections – being postponed indefinitely until adequate security can be guaranteed.

INEC however insists, regardless of facts suggesting the contrary, that elections are getting better and more competitive:

Elections are becoming more competitive and better. Votes must count and they are counting. Prof. Mahmood Yakubu pic.twitter.com/hawc4ybBWU