The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, an umbrella body of about 60 civil society organisations, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for successfully organising the Ekiti State governorship election which held last Saturday.
The group noted that there was a marked improvement in the organisation and conduct of the Ekiti election when compared to the experience in Anambra last year.
An interim statement issued Sunday morning on behalf of the groups by the Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, said findings from observers deployed across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state showed a marked improvement by INEC in management of the electoral processes and the outcomes of the poll.
This, according to the statement, represented a significant shift away from the irregularities and logistical failings that have consistently characterised previous elections.
The Situation Room also hailed INEC for the timely arrival and early start of accreditation of voters in more than 90 percent of polling units across the state, saying despite irregularities in a few places, voting and counting processes were in the main, transparent and fair.
The Situation Room however expressed concern at the poor welfare arrangements made for security personnel involved with the elections and called for an institutional change of attitude and action towards improving their welfare.
It also commended the security forces, especially the police, for conducting themselves responsibly and professionally thus enhancing the integrity of the electoral environment.
The Situation Room also expressed concern with the considerable large contingent of multi-agency security agencies, led by the 12,000 policemen deployed; and coordination between the security agencies involved with the election.
It also called on INEC to effectively address reported incidents of disenfranchisement of voters in a number of polling units in Ekiti-West and Irepodun-Ifelodun LGA.
The Situation Room said in these locations, some voters with valid permanent voter’s cards, and whose names were listed in the PVC Distribution List were missing from the electronic voters’ register and were prevented from voting.
Moreover, The Situation Room commended the patience and restraint of the people of Ekiti State whose collective commitment to democratic principles ensured that the governorship election was conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner.
The statement read: “Beginning from June 18, 2014 [2], the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) comprising more than 60 civic organisations observed the electioneering developments in Ekiti State, including the governorship election held on June 21, 2014 [3].
“During, the June 21st governorship election, findings from observers deployed across the 16 local government areas (LGAs) of the state showed a marked improvement by INEC in management of the electoral processes and the outcomes of the poll, this represented a significant shift away from the irregularities and logistical failings that have consistently characterised previous elections.
“Timely arrival and early start of accreditation of voters was observed in more than 90 percent of polling units across the state. Despite irregularities in a few places, voting and counting processes were in the main, transparent and fair. The improved logistics ensured that the trained ad-hoc personnel were stationed in place to guarantee that most polling units were open at the proper commencement time of 8.00am [4].
“This had the positive consequential effect of ensuring that actual voting also started promptly at noon for most of the polling stations visited.
“Situation Room expresses concern at the poor welfare arrangements made for security personnel involved with the elections and calls for an institutional change of attitude and action in catering for thewelfare of our dedicated law officers.
“The Situation Room however expresses some concern with the considerable large contingent of multi-agency security agencies, led by the 12,000 policemen deployed; and coordination between the security agencies involved with the election. Even so there were reports of some polling stations not having the required security presence, raising some questions about the deployment plans of such a large contingent. It was widely observed that the elections were conducted in an atmosphere of relative calm and peace, with very few incidences of the breach of the peace. It was noted that security forces, especially the police conducted themselves responsibly and professionally, enhancing the integrity of the electoral environment.
“The Situation Room urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to effectively address reported incidents of disenfranchisement of voters in a number of polling units in Ekiti-West and Irepodun-Ifelodun LGA. In these locations, some voters with valid permanent voter’s cards, and whose names were listed in the PVC Distribution List were missing from the electronic voters’ register and were prevented from voting.
“These minor incidents fall within a marginal percentage of error and in no way affect the overall quality of the elections, which can be regarded as a credible process, markedly, an improvement on the conduct of the recent Anambra State governorship elections.
The Situation Room also wishes to acknowledge the patience and restraint of the people of Ekiti State whose collective commitment to democratic principles ensured that this election was conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner.”
Members of The Situation Room include Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Abuja; WANGONET, Lagos; Partners for Electoral Reform, Abuja; Proactive Gender Initiative, Abuja; Spaces for Change, Lagos; Enough is Enough Nigeria, Lagos; Development Dynamics, Owerri; Election Monitor, Akure; COHDAT, Owerri; CRP, Abuja; CDD, Abuja; Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Abuja; Reclaim Naija/Community Life Project, Lagos; IHRHL, Port-Harcourt; Stakeholders Democracy Network, Port-Harcourt; Human Rights Monitor, Kaduna; NEGYII, Kaduna; CLEEN Foundation, Abuja; CITAD, Kano; CISLAC, Abuja; NIGERIA FOR CHANGE, Abuja; INTODEM, Makurdi; ACEEDEV, Abuja; Action Aid Nigeria, Abuja; JDPC/ Caritas and NISD, Ekiti.
