The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) national commissioner in charge of Niger, Kaduna, Plateau states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja Professor Antonia Simbine has said the inconclusive elections recorded in some states during the just concluded general elections clearly showed the competitive nature of the electoral process.
Simbine said having conducted the sixth successive general elections without any military interruptions, Nigeria’s “democracy is deepening incrementally.
The INEC commissioner spoke in Jos, the Plateau state capital Friday while presenting certificates of return to Governor Simon Lalong, his deputy, Professor Sonni Tyoden, and 23 members-elect of the state House of Assembly.
“This means there is improved integrity in the electoral system, the elections are becoming more and more competitive and the margin between winners and runners-up are decreasing. This explains why the phenomenon of inconclusive elections appears to have increased, leading to supplementary elections in some states,” she said.
She, however, stated that the 2019 polls have shown a significant improvement in the nation’s electoral system, stating that elections in the country were becoming more competitive.
She further took exception to the emergence of a new dangerous trend in the electoral system, saying that some parties and candidates now engaged in violent behaviour, including manhandling of electoral officials and intimidation of voters.
Simbine said: “The commission views this trend with grave concern and will continue to work on greater voter enlightenment for mandate protection and with the security agencies to curtail the ugly trend in future.”
Ortom, others too
Also, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state and 30 members-elect of the state House of Assembly have received their certificates of return from INEC.
Speaking at the at the JS Tarka Foundation centre, Makurdi, venue of the event, Ortom who spoke on behalf of other recipients reiterated his resolve to provide quality leadership to people of the state irrespective of their political affiliations.
He called on all the elected leaders to put aside their political differences and work for the development of the state.
The governor commended INEC and security agents for ensuring peaceful elections in the state, just as he also appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for not interfering in the electoral process in the state despite pressure from several quarters to that effect.
The INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who was represented by the INEC national commissioner supervising Benue, Enugu and Kwara states, Barrister Festus Okoye, asked the elected leaders to serve their people diligently and unconditionally.
Also speaking, Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr. Yilwada Nantawe, said the 2019 poll in the state was an improvement over that of 2015.
He, however, stated that voter education was necessary considering the high number of invalid votes recorded in the 2019 general elections and asked the elected leaders to make good governance a priority.
