INEC opens candidates’ credential display for scrutiny

INEC has opened the public display of Form EC9, containing the submitted credentials and personal details of candidates, at its Lagos headquarters and local council offices for public scrutiny.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opened the public display of Form EC9, containing the submitted credentials, affidavits and personal details of candidates, at its Sabo-Yaba headquarters and local council offices in Lagos State. Members of the public were invited to inspect the filings in accordance with Section 29 of the Electoral Act 2022.

The public display is a critical part of the electoral process. It allows citizens to verify the credentials of candidates and raise objections if they find any discrepancies. The exercise is a transparency measure designed to ensure that only qualified candidates contest elections.

This echoes the 2023 election credential display, which also saw members of the public scrutinise candidates’ documents. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a focus on transparency in the electoral process.

The winners: the Nigerian public, who can scrutinise candidates’ credentials; and INEC, which has demonstrated its commitment to transparency. The losers: candidates with questionable credentials; and the Nigerian public, who must trust the process.

Bottom Line: INEC has opened candidates’ credentials for public scrutiny. The exercise is a check on eligibility. The question is whether the public will take advantage of the opportunity.