Issued: 12:00 pm, November 20, 2015
The Situation Room has reconvened in Lokoja, Kogi State for the November 21, 2015 Governorship election. The Situation Room is an election engagement platform comprising of more than 70 civil society organizations and networks that will deploy its members and partners to observe the elections in all of the 21 local government areas across all 239 wards throughout the state.
Preliminary observations by the Situation Room indicates that voters across the State are highly motivated and mobilized to cast their votes tomorrow on voting day. There are also security concerns during the elections. The Situation Room observers have been mobilized and are ready for full deployment tomorrow.
The Situation Room wishes to clarify the role of Election Observers in this election and urges the media to assist in amplifying the following points:
- The Situation Room has since 2010, and in all the elections it has observed, shown that it is an impartial, non-partisan and objective observer and strived to maintain the integrity, sanctity and legality of the electoral process with no interest on who wins the election.
- The Situation Room calls on INEC to further clarify the role of accredited Election Observers to its officials deployed at the polling units. It should be relayed that Election Observers are present to ensure that the electoral processes are properly carried out and to report to the appropriate authorities any electoral malfeasance.
The Situation Room has taken a position on the following specific issues that have arisen from our initial meeting here in Lokoja:
- The Situation Room is reasonably satisfied with the deployment and conduct so far of the security personnel to the state to ensure a safe, secure and peaceful election tomorrow. The Situation Room however hopes that, drawing from its experiences in previous elections, that this deployment, would not lead to State inspired voter and process intimidation and suppression. However, the Situation Room is hopeful that the entire security machinery will conduct themselves responsibly and adhere to civil and responsible terms of engagement under the rule of law. The Situation Room also expresses concern about the arrangements made for the welfare of the tens of thousands of armed security personnel drawn from other parts of the country. We have noted so far, that like in previous elections, there seems to be scant regard for the overall wellbeing and welfare of these officers of the state. The Situation Room nonetheless urges the State Government to assure the electorate of their personal safety and urges voters to go out and peacefully cast their vote. In the case in which voters wish to report irregularities, they can call The Situation Room on 09095050505, 09032999919; email to situationroom@placng.org or on our twitter handle @situationroomng. Their complaints will be directed to the appropriate authorities.
- The Situation Room calls on INEC in its role as the EMB (Election Management Body) to fully acknowledge and make special arrangements for people with disabilities, the elderly and nursing mothers to help them exercise their franchise. This can be effected by giving specific instructions to INEC officials at the voting units
- The Situation Room especially urges the digital public to be discerning in their reading of social media reports as experiences have shown that some of the reports may be replete with deliberate falsehood aimed at misleading the public.
Finally, the Situation Room calls on all stakeholders in the election process to live up to the expectation of Nigerians and especially calls on INEC to deliver free, fair and credible elections in Kogi State. The electoral environment is charged no doubt and there have been various allegations across the aisle on plans to rig the election. Situation Room takes note of these developments and calls on all stakeholders, especially political parties to approach this election with responsibility and utmost respect of democratic standards. We cannot afford to fail Nigerians.
This statement is issued by the underlisted partner organisations of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room present in Kogi State:
1). Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Abuja
2) WANGONET, Lagos
3). Partners for Electoral Reform, Abuja
4.) Proactive Gender Initiative, Abuja
5.) A-CODE, Enugu
6.) ICADEF, Benue
7.) Habitat Care, Owerri
8.) Election Monitor, Akure
9.) Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, Lagos
10.) Reclaim Naija, Lagos
11.) Women’s Right to Education Programme, Abuja
12 .) RECHDI, Gombe State
13.) Reclaim Naija/Community Life Project, Lagos
14.) IHRHL, Port-Harcourt
15.) Stakeholders Democracy Network, Port-Harcourt
16.) Human Rights Monitor, Kaduna
17.) Youth Forum for Social Change, Enugu
18.) CLEEN Foundation, Abuja
19.) CITAD, Kano
20.) Action Aid Nigeria, Abuja
21.) JDPC/ Caritas
22.) Centre LSD, Abuja
23.) Advocates for Human Rights and Sustainable Development, Abuja
24.) Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group, Port-Harcourt
25.) Majesty Community Rural Dev. Foundation, Abuja
26.) Rural Youth Initiative, Kebbi
27.) Inspire Nigerian Youth, Abuja
28.) NISD, Ekiti
29.) FENRAD, Enugu