SERAP, OTHERS DEMAND EXPENSES ON BALLOT PAPERS

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Corruption Watch UK, and the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice have asked the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to publish the contract details of the printing of ballot papers meant for the general elections.

The groups alleged that information at their disposal suggested that INEC might have paid as much as four times more for the ballot papers than the estimated cost.

In a  letter dated  February  6, 2015, signed by the Executive Director of SERAP, Adetokunbo Mumuni; Director, Corruption Watch, Andrew Feinstein; and ANEEJ Executive Director, David Ugolor, they expressed concerns at suggestions that INEC might have overpaid considerably for the ballot papers.

The groups therefore requested Jega to use his "good offices and leadership to urgently and widely publish the contracts that INEC entered into for the ballot papers with a full breakdown of costs and the number of ballot papers ordered, and the companies that will print the papers."

The rights groups said if the allegations of inflated costs were true, it  would amount to a fundamental breach of the UN Convention against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a state party."

The letter partly read,  "Transparent, competitive and efficient procurement systems are part of the broad measures needed to curb corruption in the electoral process, and to achieve a fair political process and ultimately, the rule of law.

"There must be full transparency over the contracts to print the ballot papers for the General Election, including the number of ballot papers ordered, the cost of the ballot papers, the companies selected to complete the contracts and the systems put in place to guarantee the security of the printing and delivery process.

"We believe that if full transparency is not followed with regard to the ballot paper contracts, it is capable of tarnishing the legitimacy of the electoral process itself. Transparency is also necessary to enhance the credibility of INEC and citizens' trust and full participation and engagement with the electoral process.

"At the very least, INEC should put in the public domain the cost of the contracts, the number of ballot papers specified in the contract, and the companies with which contracts have been entered into. We would also be grateful for clarifications on the process for the bidding for the contracts."