BY Mansur Ibrahim
Connected Development (CODE), a civil society organisation, has been accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to observe the 2019 general election.
Speaking on the development, Hamzat Lawal, chief executive and head of the observer mission, said “the foundation and success of democratic forms of government starts with credible elections guided by active participation of relevant stakeholders, resulting in the legitimacy of elected governments”.
CODE has regularly deployed resources in observing elections; with experience in Kenya in 2013, since 2015 in Nigeria, and the 2016 US elections.
Lawal, who expressed concerns over vote-buying strategies adopted by political parties, disapproved the act, saying it could impede the credibility of the upcoming elections.
Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, highlighted the importance of having election observers at polling units to increase transparency of the process and provide useful feedback mechanism for strengthening electoral procedures.
“Election observers do not interfere with the electoral process; they observe, take note and provide reports to improve election processes. They are present to allay fears and doubts of voters who may think their votes will not count due to their preemptive notions of elections in Nigeria”, he said.
The presidential and national assembly elections will hold on February, 16.
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