CIVIL SOCIETY STATEMENT ON POSTPONEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 2011 ELECTION…Saturday April 2, 2011

Civil society groups meeting in Abuja on the platform of the Nigerian election Situation Room have reviewed the postponement of the National Assembly election of today as announced by INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, and would like to make the following statement.
We are concerned about the logistical problems that INEC has experienced with the nationwide distribution of the results’ sheets which has led to the postponement of the elections.
We are especially concerned in the light of repeated assurances to Nigerians before the start of the exercise that INEC was fully prepared.
In this regard, it is important that INEC reviews the possibility that sabotage led to this unfortunate situation.
Nigerians should have been informed earlier about the shortfall of results’ sheets before they were encouraged to troop out for the exercise, especially given our understanding that no election was possible in the absence of these results’ sheets.
It is also important in this context to emphasize the fact that all Nigerians looked forward to this election with great hope. It is imperative that this hope is not dashed.
Furthermore, Nigerians need to be reassured by INEC that all hands will be on deck with respect to the rescheduled exercise on Monday, April 4.
The Situation Room would like to draw the attention of all stakeholders to the potential problem this state of affairs has created, firstly, the fact that in many states of the federation sensitive materials are in the field; secondly, there are reports that in certain states of the federation that voting actually commenced before INEC announced the postponement. This clearly raises the possibility of electoral fraud through the printing of fake material now that this material has been viewed by those with ulterior motives with respect to the election. This can create conditions that will negate the hope for free, fair and credible elections.
Given what has now happened, it is important that, during the course of today, INEC briefs Nigerians on its plans to secure this sensitive voting material and ensure that none of it falls into the wrong hands. Nigerians also need to be reassured that the material already used can be replaced in time for Monday’s voting.
However, we would also urge Nigerians to give INEC another chance, especially in the light of past experiences, but it is crucial that INEC for its part demonstrates that it is fully in control of the situation.
Finally, we believe that there has been a failure of the part of the election management body, for which the responsible officials in INEC should be held to account.
For: Elections Situation Room
Dr Jibrin Ibrahim
Executive Director
Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD)
Tel: 0803 4001200

Clement Nwankwo
Executive Director
Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC)
Tel: 0803 8899999