Electoral Act : Clear, Inclusive Guidelines Will Ensure Credible Elections – Ikyegh

The National President of the League of Women Voters in Nigeria, Mrs. Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, has called for the development of clear, effective and inclusive guidelines in the ongoing review of the new Electoral Act, as part of efforts to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the country.

Mrs. Awunah-Ikyegh made the call while featuring on Perspectives, a current affairs programme on Kapital FM in Abuja, where she spoke extensively on the topic, “Proposed INEC Guidelines and Delivering a Free, Fair and Credible Election.”

She noted that Nigerians’ confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would depend largely on how the Commission implements reforms and manages future electoral processes.

According to her, “public trust in INEC is not automatic; it is earned through consistency, transparency and the ability to deliver elections that truly reflect the will of the people.”

She stressed the urgent need for INEC to strengthen its institutional frameworks, adopt best practices and ensure strict compliance with electoral laws and guidelines.

Mrs. Awunah-Ikyegh also expressed concern over the persistent issue of candidate imposition by political parties, describing it as a major threat to democratic growth in Nigeria.

“Political parties must be held accountable to democratic principles. The imposition of candidates not only disenfranchises party members but also weakens the credibility of the entire electoral process,” she said.

She further urged INEC to enforce internal party democracy by ensuring that party primaries are conducted in a transparent and credible manner, adding that this would go a long way in restoring citizens’ confidence in the system.

Also speaking on the programme, the Country Director of the Young Alliance for Good Governance in Africa (YAGA), Ambassador Gabriel Ashibi, emphasized the need for the electoral body to check the growing influence of money in politics.

He warned that the emergence of candidates based on financial strength rather than competence undermines good governance and democratic accountability.

In his words, “INEC must take deliberate steps to discourage money-driven candidacy. When the electoral space is dominated by financial power, it sidelines credible leaders and compromises the quality of governance.”

Ambassador Ashibi highlighted the importance of leveraging technology in the electoral process, particularly in areas such as voter accreditation, result transmission and collation.

“The success of the new Electoral Act will largely depend on how effectively technology is deployed to ensure that every vote counts and that the process remains transparent from start to finish,” he stated.

He added that the adoption of modern electoral technologies would help reduce irregularities, minimize human interference and enhance the credibility of election outcomes.

Both guests jointly called on INEC and the National Assembly to prioritise inclusiveness in the electoral process by creating more opportunities for women and youths to actively participate in politics.

They noted that increased representation of these groups would not only deepen democracy but also foster innovation, equity and broader national development.

“When women and young people are given a fair chance to participate, it strengthens democratic institutions and inspires greater public confidence in governance,” they said.

The discussants agreed that a combination of strong institutional frameworks, strict adherence to electoral guidelines, technological innovation and inclusive participation remains critical to building a more credible and resilient electoral system in Nigeria.

MON/Risi/Eugene/Uju/Chinkata