SERAP Seeks Reform In INEC To Promote Voters’ Rights

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to seek constitutional and legal reforms that would promote voter’s rights, free, fair and honest elections.

SERAP specifically urged Professor Yakubu to use INEC’s mandates to promote constitutional and legal reforms that would contain explicit mandatory provisions on internet voter registration, and the use of modern technology, including in casting and counting, voter registration and systems for reporting results.

These suggestions are contained in an open letter dated October 28, 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare.

The group insisted that if its suggestions are accepted it would improve the right to representative democracy in the country.

SERAP also maintained that the continuing resistance by politicians to bring the country’s electoral legal rules up to date with modern technology, and make the use of technology mandatory in the nation’s electoral process is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigerians’ right to effectively participate in their own government.

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The organisation pointed out that democracy works best when everyone participates, adding that a legally enforceable right to vote is the bedrock of any democratic society.

SERAP stated, “Confidence in the electoral process is on the decline. Many Nigerians are expressing concerns about the credibility and integrity of the electoral process.

“Nigerian politicians have little incentive to pursue genuine constitutional and legal reforms that would improve the exercise by Nigerians of their right to participation in the electoral process and in the mechanisms of government.

“INEC has constitutional and statutory responsibilities to promote and advance the right of eligible Nigerians to vote and to vote securely as part of their internationally recognized right to political participation.

“Under section 2(b) of the Electoral Act 2022, the commission ‘shall have power to promote knowledge of sound democratic election processes.’ INEC also has the constitutional mandates to take the recommended measures under Section 153 of the Nigerian Constitution and paragraph 15(a) of the third schedule.

“INEC has the mandate to promote, protect and facilitate the exercise of the right to vote and to vote securely as a fundamental right. Exercising such mandates would rebuild public confidence in the ability of the commission to effectively perform its responsibilities and to act in good faith,” SERAP said.