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Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has committed to promoting “electoral justice” in Nigeria as a fundamental approach to decreasing the significant number of post-election litigations.
In an interview with journalists in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, Prof. Amupitan recognized that candidates or political parties have the right to pursue legal recourse in court regarding elections.
He stated that under his leadership, INEC would endeavor to conduct elections in such a way that participants would find no reason to challenge the results in court, instead accepting the outcomes as compliant with the law.
“One of the initiatives I aim to introduce in this country is electoral justice. This way, if you lose, you will understand that you have indeed lost,” he explained.
“When you feel wronged or believe you have been disadvantaged by INEC or through improper advantages from security personnel or other means, you may feel compelled to go to court and contest it.”
“However, if you are confident that justice has been served, I believe that some individuals will begin to accept the results. While no one can compel anyone to refrain from going to court, there exists the principle of access to justice, and the courts must await someone to present a case.”
“Therefore, if no one files a case, even if a tribunal is established, the court cannot force anyone to bring their case. It may not happen immediately, but we are working toward a situation where our elections are beyond reproach,” Amupitan concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is electoral justice?
Electoral justice refers to the principle of ensuring fairness and transparency in elections, so that all participants accept the outcomes as legitimate and just.
Why is there a need for electoral justice in Nigeria?
There is a need for electoral justice in Nigeria to reduce the high number of post-election litigations and to foster trust in the electoral process, ensuring that candidates accept results without the need for legal challenges.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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