YIAGA Africa, a civil society organisation (CSO), has commended operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and security agencies for arresting suspected vote-buyers in the Edo State governorship election.
The group in its mid-day assessment of the poll urged the commission to extend its operations to other LGAs where votes are being traded for N10,000 per voter even in the presence of security personnel.
The group also applauded the Nigeria Police for arresting and disarming political thugs with firearms on the eve of the election, contributing to a more secure election-day environment.
Yiaga Africa noted that despite a tense political climate, the Edo State governorship election began peacefully with minimal critical incidents.
However, it added that logistical challenges caused delays in the commencement of accreditation and voting in several polling units.
Yiaga stated that as predicted in its pre-election statement, late openings were attributed to logistical issues and poor weather conditions, such as rainfall.
“Voters patiently waited to cast their votes despite these delays. The lack of vehicles to transport ad-hoc officials and election materials, and the absence of security personnel to accompany them, further contributed to the delays.
“Although most polling units observed had the presence of security agencies, Yiaga Africa observed an uneven distribution of security personnel, resulting in some densely populated polling units having limited security presence,” The group stated.
Yiaga Africa said is worried over reports of intimidation of INEC officials to bypass the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in Akoko-Edo LGA, missing results sheets in Polling Unit 1 in Ward 8, Orhionmwon LGA, and disruptions caused by political thugs chasing voters from Polling Unit 5 in Uwessan Ward 2, Esan Central LGA.
According to Yiaga, these infractions risk voter suppression and election manipulation. Yiaga Africa calls on INEC to strictly enforce its guidelines and to resist any pressure to deviate from the electoral legal framework.
Yiaga stated that as of 1:40 pm, its WTV Data Center received 16 verified critical incident reports primarily relating to the late opening of polls. Of additional note.
The CSO had earlier identified three key factors that would determine the successful conduct of the election, and these factors would measure the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
The factors are the impartiality of security agencies, citizens’s resilience, and the integrity of the INEC.
The key indicators would shape the exercise and further show how Nigeria’s democracy has fared.
The ICIR reported how early morning downpours delayed voting in some parts of Edo Central Senatorial District as voters waited in long queues for the arrival of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who conducted the poll.
A reporter with the ICIR
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