The need to re- examine the role of critical stakeholders in rebuilding trust in the electoral procedures and institutions was the fulcrum of a one day dialogue organised by the International Press Centre with support from the European Union.
The dialogue is targeted to set agenda towards achieving the objective of rebuilding public trust for INEC and galvanising the support of critical stakeholders in deepening the electoral process to ensure that the integrity and credibility that is required of the electoral process is maintained, and safe-guarded.
Representative of INEC and Director Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Mary Nkem in her remarks said a multi stakeholders approach is required to guarantee a viable electoral system. This is as she maintained the commissions zero tolerance for electoral fraud, especially as it affects it’s staff.
Earlier, the Executive Director, IPC, Lanre Arogundade in his remarks set the tune for the conversation. Other speakers including the lead paper presenter, Tunji Ojo agreed to the fact that there are no perfect elections, but were also of the opinion for INEC to come clean in some of its election related activities.
The dialogue which had select journalists and CSOs in attendance is expected to generate discourse as a think-thank forum towards preserving the integrity of INEC and creating grounds for rebuilding citizens’ trust on scheduled activities of the electoral body for the February 3 off cycle elections and other electoral activities ahead of the 2027 elections.