Nigeria holds its next round of general elections in 2011 in what manysee as a crucial test of the country's fledgling democracy. Without keyelectoral reforms, many Nigerians fear vote rigging and intimidationcould derail the process.
Therun-up to the 2011 elections has reignited concerns about a free, fairand credible vote in Africa's most populous nation. Nigerian electionsin 2007 were marred by widespread vote rigging and intimidation andforeign and domestic observers said they were "not credible."
EvenPresident Umaru Yar'Adua admitted "lapses and shortcomings" in the votewhich brought him to power and promised to fix the flawed electoralsystem. But critics believe Mr. Yar'Adua has moved too slowly onreforms and that key changes are not expected before the 2011 elections.
Oppositionparties are against the president appointing the head of the electoralcommission. A 22-member electoral reform panel appointed by PresidentYar'Adua had recommended that the head of the electoral body should beappointed by the National Judicial Commission "to truly make it anindependent body." The government however, rejected the recommendation.
Themuch-criticized electoral commission chairman Maurice Iwu blames adesperate political class motivated largely by a desire to enjoy theprofits of office for Nigeria's electoral problems. He told aparliamentary committee that a crackdown on electoral offenders couldbe an important step in the conduct of free and fair elections inNigeria.
"We need to look at creative ways of stopping suchrot," said Iwu. "It is easy to say create a commission. Does it meananywhere we have a failing we create a commission? We have to look atwhat are the problems? What do we want to achieve? We need to punishpeople who commit electoral offences."
Political commentatorssay peaceful, free and fair elections in 2011 are essential instabilizing a country in danger of sliding into anarchy.
Nigerian opposition parties have vowed to resist any attempt to rig the vote, setting the stage for a hotly contested ballot.
More than 15,000 people have died in a series of violent clashes since the return to civil democracy in 1999.