Attahiru Jega, a former chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has identified the lack of electoral integrity as a major obstacle to Nigeria’s democratic development.
Mr Jega warned that democracy cannot thrive without credible elections and respect for the rule of law.
Speaking on Monday, 27 October, at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) Convocation Ceremony in Abuja, citing Kofi Annan, Mr Jega defined an election with integrity as one based on democratic principles of universal suffrage and political equality, conducted professionally, impartially, and transparently throughout the electoral cycle.
In his presentation titled “Electoral Integrity as a Panacea for Democratic Development in Nigeria,” the former ASUU national chair posited that for Nigeria’s democracy to deepen and deliver tangible benefits to citizens, the country must continually reform its electoral system to make it free, fair, transparent, and credible.
According to him, elections that have integrity offer the best chance of having responsible and responsive public officials in a liberal democracy.
He emphasised that electoral integrity must encompass all stages of the electoral process: From legal frameworks and planning to voti
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