INEC Ready for Anambra South Senatorial By-election, Awaits Senate Approval
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it is ready to conduct a by-election for the Anambra South Senatorial District, but is still awaiting an official request from the Senate to initiate the process.
Dr. Elizabeth Agu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra, made this known at a stakeholders’ dialogue in Awka on Thursday, organized by the International Press Centre (IPC). The dialogue, titled “Rebuilding Trust in the Electoral Process and Election,” aimed to discuss the way forward for electoral reforms in Nigeria.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented the Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in July 2024, leaving the seat vacant. Agu stated that INEC has already made the necessary preparations for the by-election and is ready to proceed as soon as the Senate formally requests the election to fill the seat.
“We are ready for the Anambra South Senatorial District by-election, but the Senate has to write to us officially to request the replacement of the vacant seat,” Agu explained. She also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the votes of the people count in the upcoming elections, including the November 8 governorship election in Anambra.
In his keynote address, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, a lecturer at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), underscored the significance of public trust in ensuring a participatory and successful election process. Orji, a former REC in Anambra, noted that voter apathy often stems from a lack of trust in the electoral system, which is fueled by issues like fraud, irregularities, and unprofessional conduct by officials.
Orji further pointed out that while INEC had constitutional authority over the electoral process, it has involved other societal stakeholders to help build trust and improve the credibility of elections.
“The announcement of results has been transferred to Vice Chancellors to ensure credibility,” Orji said, referring to INEC’s effort to involve independent academic leaders in election processes.
Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, the Chairman of the program, stressed the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders, including civil society, security agencies, and the public, to ensure the success of the election process. He also noted the challenges posed by political prophecies predicting election outcomes, which can put unnecessary pressure on both the electorate and the electoral body.
Mr. Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of IPC, who was represented by Stella Nwofia, Programme Manager at IPC, welcomed the large turnout at the event, emphasizing the commitment of stakeholders to enhancing the electoral system. He assured that the recommendations from the dialogue would be forwarded to relevant authorities to help improve the democratic process in Nigeria.
“Our goal is to gather insights from all regions of Nigeria to rebuild trust and foster collaboration that will improve future elections, especially in light of the challenges from the 2023 general elections,” Arogundade said.
