US institutes list dangers ahead of the 2019 elections

Ahead Nigeria’s 2019 general elections, two United States of America (USA) political institutes, National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI), have listed some disturbing issues that could undermine the coming polls.

Among the worrying issues identified by the institutes are irresponsible political rhetoric, vote-buying, illegal voting, efforts to compromise the secrecy of the vote on election day, persistent insecurity in the country, and perceptions about the lack of neutrality on the part of security forces.

All these negatives, the institutes argued could undermine participation in the election, confidence in the outcome and could lead to the rejection of election results or cause post-election violence.

The US-based institutes stated this in Abuja at the unveiling of the report of their 3rd joint pre-election assessment mission to Nigeria on Wednesday.

The lead delegate of the joint assessment team, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, “The delegation notes the positive efforts being made to conduct more transparent, accountable and inclusive elections, but confidence in the process and the outcome of the elections could still be undermined.

“Irresponsible political rhetoric threatens to weaken public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral institutions and potentially incite violence. Widespread concerns about vote-buying, illegal voting, and efforts to compromise the secrecy of the vote on Election Day could lead to the rejection of election results or post-election violence.

“Further, given Nigeria’s persistent insecurity, perceptions about the lack of neutrality on the part of security forces could undermine participation in the election and confidence in the outcome despite assurances to the contrary.”

Thomas-Greenfield, an ex-US Assistant Secretary of State (African Affairs), went further to say that the pre-election delegation in carrying out its work discovered Nigeria is committed to democracy and is making efforts to improve the country’s electoral process.

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She held that should the 2019 general elections turn out credible and peaceful, it would go a long way to further consolidate the nation’s democratic institutions, and position Nigeria as example for the African continent.

“However, if the polls are not seen as sufficiently transparent, accountable, and inclusive by Nigerians or marred by violence, it could undermine past democratic gains, erode Nigerians’ trust units democratic system, and threaten democratic progress across the region,” she warned.

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