The Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) is in a fix about a possible run-off in the
presidential election between the two leading candidates, General
Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan.
The 2010 Electoral Act (as amended)
stipulates the organisation of a run-off within seven days of a
presidential election, if there is no outright winner at the first
ballot.
Sources at INEC now say seven days are
too short to prepare for a run-off in respect of the presidential or
governorship election.
There is already a proposal to amend that section of the Electoral Act at the National Assembly since 2012.
Investigation showed that INEC is in a
fix over possible governorship and presidential run-offs, especially
between President Goodluck Jonathan (PDP) and Gen. Muhammadu
Buhari(APC).
The timetable for the 2015 poll
published by the Secretary to INEC, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, on January 4,
2014 included a caveat for run-off.
It said: “Note: Run-off election to the
Office of President or Governor of a state (if any) will be held within
seven days after the announcement of the result of the election in
accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria(FRN).”
Another key official of INEC said: “The
more the process becomes credible, the likelihood of a presidential
run-off. But INEC management is in a fix on how to go about the
presidential run-off, if it becomes necessary for the nation to go
through it in 2015.
“The seven-day gap between when the
presidential election will hold and the run-off is not feasible for us
to print ballot papers, result sheets and distribute the sensitive
election materials nationwide.
“In 2011, we did anticipatory printing
of ballot papers for presidential run-off, but some people/groups wrote
petitions against INEC. They said we printed run-off ballot papers ahead
because we wanted to rig the elections.
“They also accused INEC of wasting
taxpayers’ money on run-off ballot papers when the poll did not hold.
Some of our officials were taken to the Force Criminal Investigation
Department (FCID), queried and subjected to unnecessary interrogation.
“With this nasty experience, INEC will
not want to print presidential run-off ballot papers in advance again.
It has learnt its lessons in a hard way.
“But in 2012, we made a proposal to the
National Assembly for the amendment of the seven-day clause in the
Electoral Act for more days to prepare for any run-off.
“As I speak with you, the National
Assembly is yet to effect the amendment. This kind of lapse can lead to
more electoral challenges in 2015.
“And at the end of the day, Nigerians
will be blaming INEC. If you ask me now, I will say we have no position
yet on how to go about any run-off.”
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