…Learn From UK’s Transparent Council Polls
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to closely study and emulate the transparent conduct of ongoing local government elections in parts of Great Britain, where electoral processes are being conducted peacefully, with results transmitted automatically and electronically without unnecessary rancour, confusion or manipulation.
HURIWA said the orderly conduct of the UK’s local council poll in which the Conservative party, Labour party, Reform party, Green Party, Liberal Democrats and others have expressed satisfactory approval is a good model for INEC to learn lessons of accountability and transparency
In a statement made available to VDCInsights and signed by the National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko said lessons learnt should equip the electoral umpire to show the virtues of integrity, sincerity, preparedness and neutrality in the conduct of free and fair poll in January.
The Rights group noted that in the ongoing local government elections in Great Britain, results are being uploaded electronically and announced almost immediately at polling units without the usual tension, widespread allegations of manipulation and unnecessary delays that often characterize major Nigetian elections.
According to HURIWA, this transparent process is exactly the kind of electoral culture that Nigerians expect the Independent National Electoral Commission to institutionalize ahead of the January 2027 general elections.
The association therefore advised the current INEC Chairman to learn from the shining example of the British electoral system even from the grassroots instead of continuously attempting to divert public attention by repeatedly citing insecurity as the greatest threat to smooth and credible elections in Nigeria.
HURIWA said while insecurity remains a national concern that must be tackled seriously by security institutions, Nigerians are more worried about the credibility, neutrality and independence of the electoral umpire itself.
The association stated that many voters across Nigeria currently fear that the perceived closeness of the INEC Chairman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) represents a more serious danger to free, fair and peaceful elections in January 2027 than the insecurity concerns repeatedly highlighted by the electoral commission.
According to HURIWA, the credibility crisis facing INEC cannot be ignored or dismissed because elections are fundamentally built on public trust, neutrality and confidence in the electoral process.
The group said Nigerians deserve clear assurances that the electoral body will not operate as an extension of partisan political interests but as a truly independent constitutional institution committed to democratic principles.
HURIWA therefore challenged the INEC Chairman to openly demonstrate that his leadership team possesses the competence, courage, neutrality and professional integrity required to deliver elections that will meet both national and international standards.
The association also urged the INEC Chairman Professor Amupitan to directly address growing public concerns regarding his alleged past political links to President Tinubu and his perceived ideological leanings, which many Nigerians believe have created doubts about his neutrality.
HURIWA recalled that public controversies surrounding a recently resurfaced social media post allegedly linked to the INEC Chairman further deepened public suspicion about his political sympathies after attempts were reportedly made to deny or explain away the post without convincingly addressing the concerns of Nigerians.
According to the Rights group, dismissing public anxiety without transparent explanations only worsens distrust in the electoral process.
“Nigerians are not asking for propaganda or emotional speeches from INEC leadership. Nigerians simply want transparent elections, credible processes and an electoral umpire that is trusted by all political tendencies,” HURIWA stated.
The association stressed that INEC must stop making excuses and instead focus on building a transparent electoral framework capable of restoring public confidence before the 2027 elections.
HURIWA warned that public distrust in the current leadership of INEC has risen dangerously and may undermine voter participation if urgent confidence-building measures are not initiated immediately.
The group stated that available public sentiments and widespread reactions from citizens across the country indicate that a substantial percentage of voters currently doubt the neutrality and capacity of the present INEC Chairman to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in January 2027.
“INEC must urgently rebuild trust because many Nigerians presently believe that the electoral commission lacks the neutrality and independence required to conduct transparent elections. Public confidence in elections is central to democracy and cannot be ignored,” the association added.
HURIWA also called on security agencies to concentrate fully on their constitutional responsibilities of safeguarding democratic participation by ensuring adequate security for political campaigns, rallies and elections across the country.
The Rights group insisted that elections must take place peacefully and simultaneously in all parts of Nigeria without intimidation, harassment or selective deployment of security personnel against opposition parties and voters.
According to HURIWA, security institutions must remain professionally neutral and avoid actions capable of creating the impression that state institutions are being deployed to advance partisan political interests.
The Rights group further maintained that any security chief who lacks the operational competence, professionalism and preparedness required to secure the electoral environment should be removed immediately in the national interest.
“Security agencies exist to protect democracy and guarantee public safety. Any security chief who cannot provide adequate security for campaigns and elections should be sacked immediately because Nigerians cannot afford excuses during such a critical democratic process,” HURIWA declared.
The Rights group emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy can only survive and command legitimacy when elections reflect the genuine will of the people through transparent, credible and verifiable processes.
HURIWA therefore urged INEC to focus less on rhetoric and more on practical reforms that would reassure Nigerians that their votes will count and that electoral outcomes will truly reflect the choices freely made by citizens at the ballot box.
The association concluded by reminding the electoral commission that the future stability of Nigeria’s democracy depends largely on the credibility of the 2027 general elections and the willingness of electoral authorities to act independently, transparently and professionally.
