Abuja: A civil society organisation, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has expressed worries over the preparedness of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections. The Executive Director of CISLAC and Head, Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Rafsanjani, expressed the worries while featuring in the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Personality Interview Series in Abuja on Sunday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Rafsanjani said his scepticism about the commission’s capability to conduct the election stemmed from the reported lapses in the recent by-elections held in Rivers and Kano as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections. He said that the experiences had cast doubt on INEC’s capacity to deliver credible nationwide elections if urgent reforms were not effected.
Among the issues he highlighted were the alleged omission of major opposition political parties from the ballot in some locations, a development he described as a ‘costly mistake’ capable of undermining electoral credibility and fairness. He also cited the alleged poor treatment of persons with disabilities (PWDs) during the elections as another major concern.
Rafsanjani noted that in all these three elections, people with disabilities have complained about their inability to access or participate in the elections. He emphasized the need for public education and sensitisation, especially with the new Electoral Act, stating that many Nigerians are yet to familiarise themselves with the amended law. He urged INEC to take the lead in educating the public, while acknowledging the complementary role of civil societies.
Rafsanjani identified logistical challenges as recurring problems that could erode public trust if not urgently addressed. He mentioned reports of missing election materials, delays at polling units, and concerns about the training of election personnel as factors capable of affecting voter confidence. He warned that if these issues persist, it will be extremely difficult for Nigerians to trust INEC’s capacity.
The head of Transparency International in Nigeria advised the electoral body to act decisively to restore public confidence and meet both national and international expectations for credible elections.