By Donaldson Ogbebor

A recent must watch AriseNews TV segment featuring Nigerian human rights lawyer, Martin Obono, brought to light the deeply troubling state of Nigeria?s democratic process. Obono, Executive Director of the TAP Initiative for Citizens Development, shared findings from his organisation?s investigation into apparent electoral fraud in the recent Edo State gubernatorial election, exposing a system plagued by irregularities and institutionalised malpractice. This shocking expos? should serve as a clarion call to action for Nigerian citizens and international stakeholders alike and highlights the urgent need for an overhaul of the country?s electoral framework to safeguard democratic integrity.

At the heart of TAP?s findings lies a scandalous accusation: that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria?s electoral body, in collusion allegedly engaged in voter manipulation by printing duplicate result sheets that favoured particular outcomes, which we know now to have been heavily skewed in the direction of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Obono, TAP?s scrutiny of election results showed discrepancies between what was recorded by agents on ground and what INEC ultimately declared. TAP alleges that INEC used fraudulent Certified True Copies (CTCs) of results sheets, which lacked the signatures of polling agents and were, astonishingly, inconsistent with the Independent Results Viewing (IREV) platform data. These highly troubling revelations not only call into question the credibility of INEC but also highlight a broader pattern of political and institutional complicity in eroding the democratic will.

The Implications of these findings extend far beyond Edo State. As Obono warned, if left unchecked, these tactics could serve as a dangerous template for future elections, undermining the already fragile trust Nigerians have in their electoral system. For decades, Nigeria has grappled with electoral violence, voter suppression, and vote-buying, but the scale and sophistication of the alleged fraud in Edo State suggest an alarming shift. According to TAP?s investigation, traditional forms of electoral malpractice?ballot box snatching, vote-buying, and voter intimidation?were exacerbated by a new kind of institutional rigging, raising urgent questions about INEC?s role as an unbiased facilitator of democracy.

INEC?s alleged malpractices reflect a failure of accountability, not only within the commission but also among political parties and the legal system. TAP?s investigations revealed that party agents, security forces, and even opposition parties appeared complicit or apathetic to the malpractice. This points to a pervasive culture of impunity. As Obono emphasised, if electoral offenders are not prosecuted, the cycle of corruption and rigged elections will persist, robbing Nigerian citizens of the power to choose their leaders.

Beyond TAP?s findings, it is essential to spotlight the recently revised Electoral Act of 2022, which introduced provisions such as the IREV platform to promote transparency. While this legislation was intended to prevent malpractice, its limitations have become apparent. Without a robust enforcement mechanism and accountable transparency from INEC, these reforms fall short. TAP?s proposed solution of shifting the burden of proof onto INEC is a necessary step. Currently, candidates who contest elections must prove they lost due to fraud, a challenging and often insurmountable task given the systemic nature of electoral malpractice. Requiring INEC to demonstrate the integrity of its processes could be a transformative measure in restoring public confidence.

Furthermore, TAP?s findings underscore the need for forensic auditing of election records, employing independent bodies to verify the authenticity of documents. Such oversight could prevent institutional rigging, setting a precedent for accountability in future elections. International watchdogs and Nigerian civil society must collaborate to establish mechanisms for monitoring INEC?s conduct and ensuring electoral transparency. This collaboration should involve not only forensic audits but also independent monitoring to scrutinise INEC?s compliance with electoral laws.

The recent Edo State elections have exposed an urgent need for comprehensive electoral reform. Without transparency and accountability, democracy in Nigeria faces a perilous future. Nigerians deserve a system that allows them to choose their leaders freely and fairly. Electoral integrity is not a privilege; it is a right enshrined in democratic governance. The stakes are high, and time is of the essence. The burden now lies on INEC to reform and on civil society to hold it accountable.

The TAP Initiative?s findings should act as a clarion call for reform, demanding structural and procedural changes within INEC to prevent future misconduct. First, the burden of proof must shift to INEC, compelling it to demonstrate election credibility. Second, a legal mandate must enforce routine forensic auditing of election data, with penalties for breaches. Finally, INEC?s budget and training for transparency tools like IREV must be enhanced, ensuring the platform functions as a real-time, verifiable record of votes.

The future of Nigerian democracy hangs in the balance. The government and INEC must seize this moment to enact transformative reforms, fostering a society where the power of the ballot box is respected, and the will of the people is untainted by institutional malpractice. Only then can Nigeria hope to achieve the democratic ideals it has long aspired to.

?Ogbebor, a public affairs commentator, writes from Benin City.

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