Issued: 12:00 am, 8th August 2014
The Situation Room has reconvened in Oshogbo, Osun state for the August 9, 2014 Governorship election. The Situation Room is an election engagement platform comprising of 70 civil society organizations and networks that will deploy its members and partners to observe the elections in all of the 30 local government areas across all 322 wards throughout the state.
First 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. The Situation Room observers are also mobilized and ready for full deployment tomorrow.
The Situation Room however wishes to clarify the role of Election Observers in this election and urges the media to assisting amplifying the following points:
- The Situation Room is an impartial, non-partisan and objective observer of the sanctity and legality of the electoral process with no interest on who wins the election but dedicated to ensuring the sanctity of the ballot.
- 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 Oshogbo:
- There is a growing concern about the intimidating presence of multiple security agencies deployed ostensibly to ensure a safe, secure and peaceful election tomorrow.
The Situation Room’s concern is that this overwhelming display of armed men, some of them masked, might in fact cower the voting electorate into not turning out fully to exercise their franchise.
The Situation Room is concerned, drawing from its experience in the Ekiti State election, that this deployment, by some estimates twice as large as Ekiti’s might leave this election open to the charges of 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 Ekiti, 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. 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. There are cases in which false stories have been circulated concerning these elections.
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 Osun State. The electoral environment is charged no doubt and there has 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 Osun 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, Owerri
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