As states prepare for their Governorship and House of Assembly Elections, a Civil Society Organization, Speak Out Africa Initiative, SOAI, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to ensure credible elections come March 18.
Executive Director of the organisation, Kenneth Eze, made this call on Thursday in Abuja as he unveiled Nigeria Votebeat Survey, NVS, to boost democratic participation.
According to him, the commission must work toward redeeming its already broken trust in the minds of Nigeria electorates following the aftermath of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly Elections.
“Thus, we are committed to safeguarding the participation of voters in an election. Whatever will create voter apathy is an enemy of democracy and should be confronted headlong.
“And other future elections; – a task the CSO have laboured so much to make the Nigerian voter confident in INEC. It must not be eroded. Hence, why we launched the Nigeria VoteBeat Survey (NVS) to gauge, identify, diagnose & address the possible electoral deficits”.
He further called on the judiciary to air the ongoing presidential/National Assembly Appeal Court Tribunal Hearing live for Nigerians to participate and feel a sense of belonging.
He also told citizens to disregard the notion that BVAS was dysfunctional, explaining that it was an agenda by politicians aimed at causing damage to Nigeria’s democracy.