The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged to uphold the electoral choices made by Nigerians at the 2023 general election.
The nation’s electoral body noted that Nigerians will determine who they want to elect as leaders at all levels in the 2023 general election.
The commission also declared that it would continue to do what is right under the law to protect the votes of Nigerians.
INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, who made the pledge when he received special representative of the Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Mahamat Saleh Annadif, in Abuja yesterday said the elections would continue to get better while the democratic environment is increasingly consolidated.
According to him, “I want to assure you that we will continue to do what is right on the basis of the law. The ultimate choice is going to be made by Nigerians. Nigerians will determine who they want in the 2023 general election and we will continue to uphold the choice made by Nigerians.
“So, I want to assure you that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that our elections continue to get better and better and the democratic environment is increasingly consolidated.”
Yakubu acknowledged the support of UNOWAS to the commission in the 2019 general election and expressed optimism that the body would do the same in the 2023 polls.
He also appreciated the strategic importance of Nigeria in the West African sub-region and also its responsibility in ensuring that there is electoral and democratic stability in the sub-region.
Yakubu said Nigeria has 11 million voters higher than 14 countries in the sub-region, adding that each time the country holds an election is like, a general election in the whole of West Africa.
He said: “There are 15 countries in the sub-region; in order to show the importance of Nigeria in our democracy, as at today, we have 84 million registered voters but Nigeria is one out of 15 countries in the sub-region.
“The total number of registered voters in the other 14 countries put together, is 73 million, meaning that Nigeria has 11 million voters more than other countries in the sub-region put together. Each time Nigeria conducts a general election is like a general election in the whole of West Africa. So, we appreciate the enormous responsibility the Commission is charged with.
“Election is both national and international; we have a very good working relationship with strategic partners and allies in the country, we work very closely with the political parties, civil society organisations, media, security agencies in the country but at the same time we also work closely with our friends in the international community such as UNOWAS.”
Earlier in his remarks, Annadif who spoke through an interpreter said the United Nations will always be supportive of Nigeria so that the forthcoming election will take place peacefully.
He stressed the need for peace, stability, and security in the region which according to him depend also on Nigeria.
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