Every four years, Nigerians make the life-changing decision of who gets into power. We trust the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the voting process is as fair and seamless as possible. 

However, there’s a lot of skepticism and tension in the country right now because we’re less than 100 days from the 2023 general elections, and INEC is still facing different trials and tribulations. 

Arsonists

Early on December 12, 2022, unknown gunmen attacked an INEC office in Owerri, Imo State using a firebomb. This happened eight days after a similar attack on another INEC office.

Since the 2019 general elections, INEC has been attacked over 59 times in 29 states, resulting in the loss of thousands of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and ballot boxes and damage to buildings and office equipment. 

Underage voters

In 2018, pictures and videos of children voting in Kano’s local government elections flooded the internet. And although a panel was put in place to look into this incident, nothing came of of it. 

Since then, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has promised Nigerians a clean voter register, especially with the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS). 

Unfortunately, this promise held no water because on November 17, 2022, despite the use of the ABIS, underage voters and multiple registrations were found on the preliminary voters’ register released by INEC for review.

This brings the credibility of INEC under question. Did the ABIS simply experience a malfunction, or is INEC itself complicit in our problem of electoral fraud?

Insecurity

A key issue confronting INEC now is the declining state of our security, particularly in the North. The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly recently said Boko Haram terrorists had overtaken two council areas in Borno. This implies that until something changes, the chances of voters’ registration or voting occurring in these areas are zero. 

Although INEC has tried to solve this issue by relocating polling units and registration areas to safer locations, insecurity will continue to threaten a smooth 2023 election.

Political Apathy

INEC has repeatedly complained about political apathy, especially among Nigerian youths. Millions of PVCs are sitting in INEC offices uncollected. This directly translates to a low turnout of voters in certain areas, which completely undermines the efforts of INEC to carry out a fair and credible election. 

Many people have called the upcoming 2023 general elections one of the most important elections in our history. Therefore, INEC and the government must work together to eliminate any threats or problems we might encounter. 

Proper security measures must be put in place to protect voters and tackle the attacks on INEC offices. The voter’s register must be cleaned to avoid electoral malpractice, and voter education should be organised to encourage more participation by the people.