INEC Dismisses or Withdraws 891 of 1,196 Petitions on 2023 Polls

• INEC reports 891 dismissed or withdrawn petitions out of 1,196 related to the 2023 General Elections
• INEC clarifies that the increasing number of petitions doesn’t erode its credibility, citing data from previous elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported that 891 petitions out of 1,196 related to the 2023 General Elections have either been dismissed or withdrawn. INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, refuted media reports that suggested election petitions erode the credibility of INEC.

He explained that the report contained inaccurate figures and a mix-up of pre-election and post-election cases. Olumekun further clarified that INEC cannot be held responsible for the increasing number of election petitions in the country. He pointed out that the number of petitions was rising but not the number of upturned elections, citing data from the 2015 and 2019 elections.

In the 2015 elections, 663 cases were filed, and 87 (13.1%) resulted in nullifications or reruns. In the 2019 elections, 807 petitions were filed, but elections were only rerun in 30 (3.71%) constituencies. Olumekun emphasized that while the 2023 post-election litigation is ongoing, all five petitions related to the presidential election were dismissed.

Of 82 governorship election petitions, 72 (87.8%) were dismissed or withdrawn by the petitioners. For senatorial elections, 146 petitions were filed, and 100 (68.5%) were dismissed or withdrawn. In the House of Representatives, 309 out of 413 petitions (74.81%) were dismissed or withdrawn. For state houses of assembly, 468 out of 550 petitions (82.4%) were dismissed or withdrawn as of October 16, 2023.

Yiaga Africa Calls for Electoral Act Amendment to Enable Early Voting

Yiaga Africa has called upon the National Assembly to amend the 2022 Electoral Act to facilitate early voting for individuals who provide essential services, intending to promote inclusivity in the electoral process.

Samson Itodo, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, made this request during the unveiling of the organization’s report on the Election Study and Observation Mission (ESOM) to the Liberia 2023 General Elections, themed “Liberia 2023 Elections and Lessons for Nigeria,” in Abuja.

Itodo emphasized the importance of political stakeholders demonstrating a strong commitment to democracy and nation-building by upholding national values such as patriotism, integrity, and public interest within electoral politics.