INEC: It’s inappropriate to assess 2023 polls by number of petitions

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is inappropriate to solely access the credibility of the 2023 general election by the number of petitions filed.

In a statement on Thursday signed by Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, INEC said its attention has been drawn to a report titled ‘INEC’s credibility sinks as 94% contested posts awaits tribunal’.

The commission said the report suggests that election petitions draw from the action or inaction of INEC.

The commission said many litigants in Nigeria unfortunately file election petitions over the most improbable cases, and later withdraw them, or they are dismissed by the tribunals.

INEC said of the 1,196 petitions filed, 712 were dismissed and 179 withdrawn.

It said this means the tribunals found no merit in 891 (74.4%) petitions and affirmed the result of the elections conducted by INEC.

“The said report analysed the total number of petitions as if they were filed against the outcome of the election in 94% of all the elective positions without considering details of the cases,” the statement reads.

“Multiple petitions were filed by candidates and political parties as petitioners in a single constituency.

“Therefore, the number of election petitions filed in respect of all elective offices will certainly outnumber the total number of constituencies/elective offices.

“Many of the petitioners did not challenge the conduct of the elections by INEC but the eligibility of candidates or their nomination by political parties.

“Under the law, INEC has no power to screen candidates. Similarly, only the courts can disqualify candidates.

“A comparative analysis would have addressed the deliberate effort in the report to portray the 2023 general election as regressive on account of litigation without empirical evidence.

“Over the last three electoral cycles, the number of election petitions may be rising but not the number of upturned elections.”

MAJORITY OF PETITIONS WITHDRAWN OR DISMISSED

The commission said while the 2023 post-election litigations are ongoing, all five petitions filed in respect of the presidential election were dismissed while three are pending on appeal.

“As of Monday 16th October 2023, out of 82 governorship election petitions, 72 (87.8%) were either dismissed or withdrawn by the petitioners,” the statement reads.

“For senatorial elections, 146 petitions were filed out of which 100 (68.5%) were dismissed or withdrawn.

“For the house of representatives, 413 petitions were filed out of which 309 (74.81%) were dismissed or withdrawn, while for state houses of assembly, 550 petitions were filed out of which 468 (82.4%) were dismissed or withdrawn.

“The commission wishes to restate that it is inappropriate to solely assess the credibility of INEC or the conduct of the 2023 general election on the number of petitions filed by litigants who, in any case, have the right to do so under the law.”