– Issued: 12:00pm, Saturday, 25th February 2023
As the Presidential and National Assembly elections get underway, the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room wishes to commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders for ensuring that the elections were not postponed as was the case in recent general elections. The Situation Room is pleased that sensitive election materials have reached most local government areas across the country.
The Situation Room is hopeful that INEC and other election stakeholders will resolve existing and emerging challenges relating to deployment of electoral officials and materials, prompt commencement of polls, and accreditation and voting. Situation Room calls on voters to eschew violence and be law abiding as they perform their civic duty.
The Situation Room wishes to make the following observations:
Election Logistics
There was late deployment of election materials across the country, with less than 30 percent of polling units starting on time, according to reports from our network of observers and partners. States where polls opened around 8.30 am include Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Gombe and Jigawa. However, in Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers, Kaduna and FCT, there has been significant delays in commencement of polls, with many polling units yet to open as at 11.30 am.In most states, deployment of election officials and materials to the RACs commenced early hours of this morning, making it extremely difficult for the election to commence on time. In some states, many ad hoc staff could not find their names on the staff list, even after participating in the training exercise, causing further delays. There were reports of deployment of election materials to the wrong polling units in parts of North West and North East states.
Election Violence
The Situation Room is concerned about the tendency to use violence to intimidate opposition and suppress voters, as was observed in Kogi and Rivers States. Specifically, In Anyigba ward of Dekina LGA of Kogi State, thugs are reportedly going round destroying election materials and dispersing voters. The Situation Room calls on security agencies to intervene and arrest the escalating violence.
Vote Buying
The Situation Room received reports indicating attempts by political actors to engage in vote buying. The Situation Room commends the security agencies for swift action they have taken by apprehending suspected perpetrators of vote buying. The Situation Room calls for a thorough investigation of the cases while advocating even more vigilance against those who may still be harboring such intentions.
Conclusion
The Situation Room urges INEC to take note of the observed challenges and implement swift measures to ensure that all eligible voters are given opportunity to vote and that the voting process proceeds without further delays. Situation Room calls on the security agencies to take measures to curb the escalating violence as observed across the country. Election observers, the media and the general public should continue to be vigilant and report incidents to the Situation Room using the contact details.
Call/Whatsapp
09032999919, 08021812999, 09095050505.
E-mail: situationroom@placng.org
Social Media
Twitter/Instagram: @SituationRoomNg
Facebook: Situation Room Nigeria
Website: www.situationroom.org
Hashtag: #SR2023Elections
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SIGNED:
Ene Obi
Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Asma’u Joda
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
James Ugochukwu
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room