Judul : Anambra Elections: Peaceful Process, Troubling Realities
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Anambra Elections: Peaceful Process, Troubling Realities
The management of the Anambra governorship election on November 8 presented a hopeful, though not fully realized, move towards enhancing Nigeria's democratic system. Although the event demonstrated noticeable progress in election management and stability, it also revealed persistent issues that still jeopardize the credibility of the electoral process.
The work of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is worthy of praise. However, the behavior of political figures, ongoing logistical challenges, and increasing voter apathy are concerning issues that need immediate attention prior to the 2027 general elections.
First, INEC demonstrated significant progress in managing the electoral process. Observers throughout the state generally recognized a substantial improvement in the opening of polling units compared to past elections. While challenges remain, INEC's performance showed increased preparedness and efficiency in distributing materials. More importantly, reports from the Anambra Election Observation Hub, which includes Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre (IPC), Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Nigeria Women Trust Fund (NWTF), ElectHER, and TAF Africa, revealed through its Watching The Vote platform that the results announced by INEC matched its Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT), previously called the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT). This alignment is important as it confirms the reliability of the outcome using an independent, data-based approach. For an electoral system that has long faced skepticism and distrust, this development marks a crucial step in restoring public trust.
Furthermore, the election day proceedings remained largely tranquil. We praise the citizens of Anambra State for showing self-control and a sense of civic responsibility during the voting, tallying, and result aggregation processes. The expertise and cooperation displayed by security forces also helped in keeping things under control, preventing the disorderly situations that typically occur during elections in certain areas of the country. This peaceful behavior should become the standard rather than the exception and sets a constructive example for other states.
Still, advancement should not be confused with perfection. Although there have been enhancements, the reality that fewer than half of the polling stations were functional at the official commencement time is a matter of worry. Ongoing logistical challenges keep damaging INEC's reputation. Punctuality is not an extra in election management; it is crucial for equity. Any postponement affects voters' trust and could deter involvement. INEC should not become complacent; it needs to boost its readiness, refine its swift response plans, and collaborate closely with security and logistics allies to achieve complete operational effectiveness in upcoming elections.
Nevertheless, the more concerning element of the election was the conduct of political figures. The extensive use of vote-buying was not only apparent but also open. This issue has now emerged as the primary form of electoral misconduct, gradually supplanting ballot theft, violence, ballot stuffing, and fabricated outcomes. It fosters electoral corruption, weakens the fairness among participants, and damages the credibility of victors.
Daily Trust strongly rejects this behavior and demands severe penalties for those found responsible. Electoral violations should result in appropriate repercussions. Leaders and political groups need to stop viewing elections as deals and instead focus on creating systems, policies, and interactions that build public confidence.
A significant issue is the low voter participation. Although there has been a slight increase, the final turnout of 21.35 percent remains extremely poor. Such a high level of apathy should lead to serious consideration at every level of leadership. Democracy cannot succeed if fewer than a quarter of qualified citizens take part in choosing their leaders.
Especially concerning is the ongoing drop in voter participation among young Nigerians. This increasing disinterest brings up important questions regarding the government's ability to respond, the significance of political figures in people's daily lives, and, in the end, the validity of election results. There is an urgent need for a national discussion to examine the reasons behind low involvement and create long-term solutions.
Restoring trust among voters is not solely the duty of INEC. Political parties need to embrace more inclusive and issue-focused approaches. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) should increase their efforts in mobilizing voters and educating citizens about their rights. The National Orientation Agency must actively fulfill its role by initiating continuous civic awareness campaigns before future elections. Citizens, particularly the youth, should also understand their power and duty to impact governance through voting instead of just voicing dissatisfaction on social media.
The general management of the Anambra election showed that when institutions function properly and citizens follow the rules, Nigeria is capable of holding peaceful and reliable elections. However, these accomplishments will be insignificant if they do not lead to genuine changes. The country anticipates that INEC will capitalize on the achievements gained while addressing the existing shortcomings.
The Anambra election offers a basis for cautious hope. It also highlights that democracy is reinforced not only through reliable procedures but also through genuine involvement. Nigeria has achieved some advancement, but it now needs to build upon, maintain, and protect this progress. The moment to take action is prior to the upcoming election, rather than following it.
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