Former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, has urged Nigerians to stay vigilant and actively monitor the electoral course of through the 2027 basic elections, warning that voter apathy and failure to doc occasions at polling items might create room for electoral malpractice.
Igini careworn the significance of residents’ participation in safeguarding the credibility of elections, urging voters, significantly younger Nigerians, to not abandon their duties on election day.
“On election day, do not sleep. You have the legal right to use your telephone to make video recordings. If you sleep, they will rig the election,” he mentioned.
The former electoral commissioner known as on Nigerians to make the most of the lawful means obtainable to them to look at proceedings at polling items and doc electoral actions as they unfold.
He emphasised that residents should perceive that credible elections require greater than casting ballots, noting that sustained voter vigilance might assist defend the integrity of the method.
According to him, the presence of residents at polling items is especially necessary as a result of voters are anticipated to outnumber electoral officers, giving the general public a big position in monitoring proceedings.
“The greatest security that our young men and women who will be at the polling unit will get will be from Nigerian people because in every polling unit voters will outnumber poll officials,” Igini mentioned.
He argued that the accountability for safeguarding younger Nigerians collaborating in election monitoring shouldn’t relaxation solely with safety companies or electoral authorities. Still, he also needs to contain bizarre residents with a direct stake within the consequence of elections.
Igini additional defined that the senior officers answerable for administering elections wouldn’t be bodily current at each polling unit, making the vigilance of voters and group members important to making sure transparency on the grassroots.
“All the key officials of INEC, from the top level down, will not be at the polling units,” he mentioned.
He urged Nigerians to mobilise their communities and sensitise eligible voters forward of the 2027 elections, stressing that the nation’s future depends upon residents’ willingness to take part in constructing a reputable electoral system.
“So, talk to your wards that it is their own future that we want to build a system where there will be opportunity for all and responsibility for all,” he mentioned.
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