The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against allowing political interests to infiltrate the recruitment, screening and deployment of personnel for the 2027 general elections.
HURIWA says the credibility of the 2027 polls must begin with the integrity of the men and women who will administer them.
The rights advocacy group in a statement by its national coordinator therefore urged INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, and the National Commissioners to establish a transparent and rigorous screening system for all election personnel.
HURIWA particularly cautioned INEC against accepting recommendations from governors, legislators, political parties, presidential candidates or other influential political actors in the recruitment of ad-hoc personnel.
The association said allowing politicians with direct interests in election outcomes to influence the selection of electoral officers could undermine confidence in the neutrality of the process.
HURIWA indicated that an election official cannot convincingly act as an impartial referee if his or her appointment is perceived to have been secured through the influence of a politician with a direct stake in the election.
The group therefore demanded thorough verification of the background, professional conduct, political exposure and integrity of personnel before their deployment to polling units, Registration Area Centres, collation centres and other sensitive locations.
HURIWA insists that political neutrality must be a fundamental qualification for election personnel.
The group said the integrity of election officials is as important as the technology deployed for accreditation, voting and results management.
HURIWA warns that even the most sophisticated electoral technology cannot guarantee credible elections if the people operating the system are politically compromised.
The association therefore called on INEC to publish clear criteria for recruiting and deploying ad-hoc personnel.
It also urged the commission to establish an effective mechanism through which citizens and stakeholders can raise objections to proposed election officials with known partisan affiliations or conflicts of interest.
HURIWA says such transparency would strengthen public confidence and reduce suspicion about the neutrality of election personnel.
The group urged political parties, civil society organisations, professional bodies, religious organisations and the media to monitor the recruitment and deployment process.
HURIWA urged stakeholders to expose any attempt to compromise the process before election day.
The association warned INEC against waiting until after the elections before addressing allegations of political interference.
HURIWA pointedout that preventive safeguards are more effective than post-election explanations because once public confidence is destroyed, restoring it becomes difficult.
The group called on Professor Amupitan and the National Commissioners to demonstrate that INEC can conduct elections without fear, favour or political manipulation.
The group urged the commission to place integrity above convenience, competence above political recommendation and national interest above partisan pressure.
The association indicated that the 2027 elections are too important to be handed over to political networks.
The group insisted that no governor, legislator, presidential candidate or political party should determine who serves as an election official in a manner that compromises neutrality.
The group also indicated that the credibility of the 2027 elections will not depend solely on BVAS, electronic results transmission or other technologies.
It will also depend on the integrity of the men and women operating the electoral system.
HURIWA therefore called on INEC to act early, screen thoroughly, deploy transparently and maintain absolute neutrality.
The association said the 2027 election must be an election of Nigerians, conducted by credible officials and decided by the free will of the Nigerian people.
