The chairman of the Independent National Election Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has said that the commission lacked the power to force any electoral candidate to attend a debate. Yakubu who made this known during the quarterly consultative meeting with media executives in Abuja said that debates are democratic rights and cannot be forced on any candidate and that there were, however, “unspoken consequences” for those who failed to attend.
The INEC boss made the statement at the quarterly consultative meeting with media executives in Abuja noted that debates are democratic rights and cannot be forced on any candidate. He also stated that even in most advanced countries, nobody can be compelled to do anything in a democracy. He explained that debates, like voting, is a democratic right meant to better inform the voters and nobody can be compelled to participate in them. He went further to add that he is aware some candidates always avoid debating to prevent making mistakes to discourage voters.
“I am not sure we can compel someone to attend the debate. You cannot do that. Even in most advanced countries, you can’t compel someone to do anything in a democracy. Debate, just like voting, is a democratic right. We know debates are to make citizens be better informed. However, there is an unspoken consequence for candidates not participating. I also understand that some candidates prefer not to attend in order to avoid making mistakes that would drive voters from them. We are, however, happy with the job the election debate group is doing. The effort of the media in this aspect should be supported, but they should also be non-partisan,” the INEC chairman said.