2007: How to Conduct Credible Polls, by Wabara
From Christopher Isiguzo in Owerri
Senate President Adolphus Wabara has said that part of the efforts to hold a credible election in 2007 should be devoted to making the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) truly independent and free from interference by the executive and legislative arms of government.
In his remarks at the INEC workshop on Building Confidence in Nigeria's Electoral System held in Owerri, Imo State capital yesterday, Wabara said financial independence of the electoral body was also critical to enable it conduct free and fair polls.
"INEC presently draws the money for its operations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. It is important that both INEC and State Independent Electoral Commissions draw their salaries and the money for all their operations from the consolidated revenue fund. This will free them from being beholden to the incumbent, insulate them from charges of manipulation and guarantee their real independence," he said..
He noted that beside financial independence, the electoral bodies must be ready to assert their independence before, during and after the coming elections. Wabara added that in 2007 and subsequently INEC must be ready to conduct decent, free and fair polls and declare results that reflect the wishes of the electorate by preventing rigging and other forms of electoral manipulations.
The Senate president also advised political actors to develop democratic temperament by not seeing politics as a matter of life and death but rather a game, where there would be winners and losers.
According to him, it is the political actors and the electorate that imbue the electoral process with confidence through their conducts during the elections, their attitude after election and their faith in the system.
"As democrats, we must all begin to accept election results, whether they are favourable or not," he said, but added that such patriotic conduct did not mean that there won't be irregularities. "We must raise objections within the constitutionally prescribed channels, accept the ruling of the tribunals and wait for the next election," the Senate President said.
While noting that the present electoral system was not perfect, Wabara said efforts would continue to be made to fine-tune the process and make it more open, more transparent and more fool proof.
In his address, the INEC chairman, Dr Abel Guobadia, said the essence of the three-day seminar was to seek lasting solutions to the challenges before Nigerians as preparations are being made towards 2007 elections.
He said though INEC as the main electoral body has the responsibility of conducting elections, managing and generally superintending the process, all stakeholders have vital roles to play. He said the success of any election depends as much on the impartiality, fidelity and competence of the electoral body as it does on other stakeholders.
He noted that the theme of the workshop "Building Confidence in Nigeria's Electoral System" was very apt, as where there is no confidence, apathy was likely to hold sway. This, he said, undermines the credibility of the outcome of any election regardless of how free or fair or well conducted.
Governor Achike Udenwa of Imo State who was represented by his deputy, Engineer Ebere Udeagu, charged INEC to evolve new electoral strategies that will make the 2007 elections a substantial improvement on those of 1999 and 2003.
He said this was the only way democracy could be solidly entrenched in Nigeria. The governor also expressed his administration's willingness to assist INEC in the attainment of its visions.
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