The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Anambra State voters in ensuring that the elections in the main were conducted peacefully and without any serious outbreak of violence or lawlessness.
By late evening, and with reports from our field observers confirming that voting has been successfully concluded in most of the areas and the collation process effectively ongoing, this day of elections is drawing to a close.
However we note that process of collation in some of the state collation centres may be inconclusive until tomorrow for a variety of reasons. The Nigeria Civil Society Election Situation Room is aware that this collation phase is traditionally the weakest link in the elections process, and this delay gives cause for concern.
We also note that there have been various reports about the actual turn out of voters, based on the sometimes large crowds seen milling around some polling stations.
Our field reports confirm from the actual accreditation figures that in most polling stations, the actual accredited voters fell far short of the numbers of registered voters in the respective centres.
The Situation Room understands that over the next couple of hours leading up to Sunday morning, INEC’s release of the polling results will provide some insight on the nature of voters’ turnout. Our preliminary finding at this point is that turnout was low!
The Situation Room urges voters to continue to maintain the peace and vigilance that have characterised today’s voting.
Nigeria Civil Society Election Situation Room
2 Okemesi Crescent, Off Oro-ago Crescent,
Garki II,
Abuja, Nigeria.
Tel: +234(0)809 189 9999
Email: electionsituationroom@placng.org
Website: http://electionsituationroom.wordpress.com