The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has expressed worries over the credibility and ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free, fair and credible elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states off-cycle elections.

Situation room Convener, Dr. Y.Z Ya’u who made this observation Friday in Abuja in a press conference, said the position of the body is coming in the light of the shortcomings experienced during the General Elections of February and March 2023.

According to Ya’u, the right group is following up on its report of the 2023 General Elections and is demanding for urgent national electoral reforms to re-ignite citizens confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

The Convener recalled that a post-2023 general election survey recently conducted by the Situation Room exposed a significant dip in citizens confidence in INEC, regretting that citizens now query the ability of INEC to conduct credible elections in the country.

He said: “Given the need for urgent action to be taken regarding INEC, Situation Room is calling for an independent national electoral reform panel to be set up urgently by President Bola Tinubu.

“Situation Room is not in any way tying its call to the outcome of the 2023 General Elections nor would we consider that this panel represent a question surrounding the results of the 2023 General Elections.

“Nevertheless, Situation Room’s call is being made as a national call to help salvage Nigeria’s electoral process. For the independent panel to work freely, without interference from INEC as presently constituted.

“The membership of the proposed independent national electoral reform panel should comprise of independent election experts and stakeholders who will review the logistical, legal and administrative shortcomings of INEC as well as make additional reform recommendations.

“The reform panel should also be charged with recommending the implementation of previous electoral reform proposals that have examined the mode of appointment into INEC to remove the recruitment of partisan elements into the Commission.

“In addition, the panel should also recommend needed legal framework and time frame for achieving the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission as well as the best, least expensive paths to creating and maintaining a credible Voter Register for the country, amongst other issues.

“Again, this call is being made in the light of the Situation Room’s observation of 2023 General Elections, off-cycle Governorship elections and the continuing decline of citizens confidence in the management of elections in Nigeria.” (The Guardian)