Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the many challenges that spoke ill of its credibility of the 2023 general elections are avoided in the three off-cycle governorship elections in November.

CTA observed that although it is important to acknowledge the challenges faced by voters during the February and March elections, Nigerians should also commend the positive sides the Commission recorded with the polls and ensure they are sustained by playing their roles.

It would be recalled that INEC has fixed the Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi State governorship elections for November 11, 2023.

Executive Director, CTA, Faith Nwadishi, who spoke at a one-day stakeholders roundtable on the 2023 general elections in Abuja on Friday observed that some citizens expressed concerns about the challenges bothering on the elections such as logistical issues.

According to Nwadishi, Nigerians must consider the broader context in which the elections took place.

According to her, lack of adequate resources, such as cash and fuel, combined with the persistent insecurity across the country, posed significant challenges for the successful execution of the electoral process.

She said that while acknowledging these challenges, citizens must not lose sight of the real gains of the 2023 elections.

She added, “There are some lessons INEC and all us have learnt and we should use these lessons to strengthen the process ahead of the off-season elections,” she stated.

“We witnessed electoral upsets in regions that were considered strongholds of certain parties, illustrating the evolving political landscape and the growing unpredictability of our electorate. New players were introduced into the electoral process, signaling a dynamic, inclusive and constantly evolving political space.

“These developments send a strong message that our electoral process is not only functional but is steadily progressing on the right track.

In managing elections within a nation as expansive and diverse as ours, significant challenges always arise.

“The electoral umpire as a body was instrumental in pushing for the repeal of the Electoral Act. The leadership strongly advocated for a new law that addressed the challenges and opportunities of our electoral system. This law marks a transformative milestone in our democratic journey. The push for about 15 clauses in the new Act led to tangible improvements in our electoral processes.”

Also, she reiterated that the innovative reforms such as the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), helped to a large extent to strengthen the credibility, transparency, and integrity of the elections despite the myriads of challenges faced.

This technology-based system, according to her, has strengthened the credibility, transparency, and integrity of our elections.

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