On Saturday, 4th June 2022, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) held a Dialogue Session with the Ekiti State Independent National Electoral Commission Resident Electoral Commissioner (INEC REC), Dr. Tella Adeniran Rahmon, to discuss INEC’s preparedness for the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 18th June 2022.
The Dialogue Session which is customary ahead of Situation Room’s observation of a governorship election usually presents an opportunity for CSOs preparing to observe the election to interact with the REC and discuss issues that may arise during the election day observation.
Situation Room Convener, Ene Obi, in her opening remarks highlighted the importance of discussing INEC’s preparations with respect to skilled manpower, training, efficiency and deployment, noting that the Ekiti State election will be the second State election where the Bimodal Voter’s Accreditation System (BVAS) will be deployed. She also emphasised that Ekiti State has had a sturdy history of election violence made prominent since the 2009 supplementary election in the State where several voters were attacked, and an INEC LGA burnt down by political thugs.
Matthew Ayibakuro, Governance Adviser, FCDO while giving goodwill remarks highlighted the tough political climate in Nigeria. He narrated his experience at a meeting held in a rural community, where the issue of vote buying was addressed, most of the attendees confessed to have collected money during elections with the recurring reason given to rationalise the selling of their votes as the harsh economic realities they face in the Country. He concluded by assuring Nigerians of the relentless support of FCDO with collaborative efforts from Situation Room and CSOs to ensure that plans are put in place to achieve a better election process.
Dr. Tella Rahmon, gave an update of INEC’s preparations as follows:
- There has been an expansion in the number of Polling Units from 2,194 to 2,455.
- The number of registered voters is 988,923 and the number of PVCs collected (as at 27th May): 734,746.
- Ad hoc staff and corp members have undergone five weeks training on the use of election materials and election conduct.
- Security agencies are prepared to deploy personnel on time to enable polls commence early in order to avoid delays on election day, adding that boundary States would be sealed to hinder movement into the State during election. There would also be uniformity of identity of security operatives to avoid impersonation.
- A total number of 3,346 BVAS machines will be deployed for the election with additional machines to serve as backup to ensure no issues arise and more generators have been supplied to ensure power is uninterrupted. This is coming on the heels of a mock election conducted in three Senatorial districts, at two polling units to test the BVAS.
- The Commission has made efforts to ensure the distribution of sensitive materials two days before the polls. The Commission plans to invite CSOs, Media, Security Agents and other stakeholders to observe the distribution of these materials to LGA, RACs, Polling Units and back to the Collation Centres after Elections
- Sensitization of Women and youth groups, PWDs and other vulnerable groups to educate them on the electoral process has been conducted successfully, with the collaboration of CSOs and other stakeholders.
Findings were shared from Kimpact Development Initiative’s (KDI), elections security risk assessment by its Executive Director, Bukola Idowu. According to KDI, 25% of prospective voters want a safe voting environment while 10% said that they would vote if given a monetary reward. 21 cases of violence and four deaths have also been recorded with kidnapping and fake news prevalent. KDI also listed Ikole, Ikere, Efon and Ijero as Local Government Areas as likely hot spots to look out for.
The Executive Director of Centre for Citizens Disabilities (CCD), David Anyaele also shared CCD’s findings from its pre-election assessment of INEC’s preparedness for PWDs. He appealed to INEC to provide sign language interpreters to assist PWDs on election day and that support should be given to ad hoc staff to properly assist PWDs.
Dr. Tella Adeniran Rahmon further assured the gathering that INEC has adequately prepared for the elections and would not disappoint.
Situation Room will be on ground to observe the elections, receive reports and provide unbiased analysis of the Ekiti State Governorship Election.