THE day of reckoning is here after months of rigorous planning by the 63 registered political parties. To an expectant nation desirous of a clean break from the ugly past, Wednesdays reaffirmation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its preparedness for tomorrows crucial presidential election could not have been better placed in context. This is especially so considering the observed anomalies reported in many areas across the country during the April 9 National Assembly polls.However, the operational and logistics challenges recorded last Saturday should not detract significantly from the positive rating of INEC and its chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, over the conduct of the elections. But INEC should not get carried away; it is certainly not yet time for celebrations.The initial euphoria that attended the April 9 elections (after the misstep of April 2 leading to polls cancellation nationwide) has now been dampened by revelations that the professional political elite has not changed its sordid habits. Despite moral persuasions and threats of sanctions, political thugs and agents of desperate politicians still engaged in electoral malpractices last Saturday including the snatching of ballot boxes, and the theft of voting materials with intent to gain fraudulent and undue advantage over opponents. The election was not violence-free either.Although there were allegations of monetary inducement of a few officials, the ad-hoc staff and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) engaged by INEC performed creditably enough to earn the INEC Chairmans commendation. But not all the electoral officials were above board. Many of them have been charged to court for aiding and abetting electoral fraud. The reported cases of indiscipline among INEC officials should be promptly addressed.There were also reports of voters names missing on the register, resulting in the disenfranchisement of thousands of prospective voters while quite a number across the country who were duly accredited still could not vote due to the late arrival of materials or due to their absence during the physical count of accredited voters.In some instances, suspicious results were presented after the collation of figures, resulting in disagreements. In Anambra State, the Central Senatorial district tussle between Action Congress of Nigerias Dr. Chris Ngige and Prof. Dora Akunyili of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) remains a puzzle for INEC. In Bayelsa West Senatorial District, there has been a withdrawal of already announced results. In the same state, the declaration of results was suspended in three Federal constituencies including Sagbama/Ekeremor. In another instance, polls conducted in certain constituencies in Ndokwa, Isoko and Delta Central area were inconclusive due to the outbreak of violence. There were reports of ballot box snatching in Delta and Zamfara states.Bauchi and Kano states recorded cases of underage voting. In Abia, a slightly different dimension was introduced as opposition parties including APGA, ACN, Labour Party (LP), and the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) threatened a boycott of the Governorship and Assembly polls on April 26 because according to them, the last exercise was a mockery of true election and democracy. The complaints are almost endless across the country.In fact all the major parties in the April 9 elections have engaged in unhealthy accusations and counter-accusations. Could this be a sign that the politicians have not learnt useful lessons in sportsmanship Credit however must go to the likes of House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole in Ogun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Osun State governor, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, and Alhaji Liad Tella, who not only lost the election but have also congratulated the winners. This is a rare display of good faith among politicians in this country. We commend their conduct to other politicians.The INEC chairman has acknowledged most of the lapses in the last elections including delays in the delivery of ballot materials, missing names on the register which, according to him, constitute one of the most embarrassing challenges; he further described some of the lapses as terrible cases. It is just as well that he admits that there is room for improvement.The nation expects him to address the challenges before the start of voting tomorrow as he promised; only a successful conclusion of the assignment can convince skeptical citizens that the new INEC is a departure from the old order.There are other complaints: the failure to keep to the 48-hour time-limit for the release of results; voting not being conducted in secret in some places, while many polling units lack the customized cubicles. And the question has been asked: what are the security arrangements for sub-units in centres that have large voting population to avoid bonus votes for someThe security agencies have been commended for their efforts on April 9, but the large number of persons who were arrested for electoral malpractices is disturbing. In Jigawa a total of 40 persons were apprehended for electoral fraud; Delta 32; Ogun 20; Enugu 36; Edo 41; Zamfara 20 and so on. Tomorrow and on April 26, law enforcement agents should be more vigilant. The stakes may have been high in the National Assembly elections, but they are now definitely higher. INEC must be fully prepared to rise to the occasion.
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