INEC dismisses claims Nigerians lost confidence in elections, citing strong CVR turnout and 2023 results as proof of public trust in the system.
INEC Dismisses Claims of Lost Voter Confidence, stating that recent accusations of voter apathy are baseless and not backed by evidence.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) highlighted that high turnout in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise clearly demonstrates that Nigerians, particularly youths, still have faith in the electoral process.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, firmly rejected claims suggesting a widespread loss of confidence in the commission or electoral outcomes. He described such assertions as “unsupported by facts.”
According to Oyekanmi, data from the ongoing CVR offers compelling evidence of engagement.
The registration portal launched on 18 August at 8:30 a.m., and by 3:30 p.m. the same day, over 69,000 Nigerians had pre-registered online.
By 24 August, just one week later, the figure had grown to 1.37 million.
Two weeks in, by 1 September, over 2.5 million citizens had pre-registered, with numbers continuing to rise.
By 21 September, the figure reached 5.38 million, while in-person registrations also recorded strong participation.
“These are not the figures of a disengaged electorate,” Oyekanmi stated.
“No African country has recorded such robust registration figures in just one month.”
He emphasised that all online registrants must still appear in person to complete their biometric capture, in compliance with Sections 9(7) and 10(2) of the Electoral Act 2022.
Oyekanmi also cited the 2023 general election as further evidence of growing electoral maturity and public confidence.
The election produced the most diverse National Assembly since 1999, with seven political parties represented in the Senate and eigh in the House of Representatives.
In the State Houses of Assembly, nine parties won seats, reflecting a more competitive and representative democracy.
“These results speak volumes about Nigerians’ belief in the system. Despite some vocal critics, millions continue to participate, vote, and demand reform,” he added.
Oyekanmi also pointed to ongoing calls from civil society and political actors for INEC to take over local government elections as further proof of the commission’s growing credibility.
“Ironically, some of the harshest critics are also the first to suggest transferring LG elections to INEC.
You can’t walk both sides of the road,” he said.
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While INEC acknowledges the need for continued reform and technological improvement, it maintains that current voter engagement trends indicate a strong foundation of trust, not disillusionment.
