Preamble
(April
11, 2015) Today, Nigerians return to the polls to elect governors and state
legislators in 29 and 36 states of the federation respectively. Over 10
political parties are participating in today’s exercise.
The Centre for
Democracy and Development (CDD) deployed observers and reporters in 21 states
namely, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Imo, Kano, Kwara,
Lagos, Plateau, Ondo, Oyo, Taraba, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Enugu, Delta,
Rivers and Sokoto states.
Our coverage of the exercise is aimed at assessing
the quality of the electoral process and informing the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) Citizens’ Reporting Centre as well as the general
public of cases of irregularity and logistical/technical problems. Election
observation and analysis will also enhance the transparency and credibility of
the process and discourage electoral malfeasance.
Arrival of INEC
Officials, Materials and Accreditation
In terms of the general administration of the election, INEC recorded substantial improvement, especially in terms of timely arrival of electoral officials and materials, as well as in the functionality of the card readers.
Accreditation of voters was also generally orderly and peaceful, devoid of
hitches associated with the presidential and National Assembly elections. The
presence of security officials, party agents and independent observers was
noted at the start of the process in most polling stations.
However, their
presence was not sufficient to deter interruption in some polling units.
Despite these improvements, CDD observed the late arrival of electoral
officials and materials in some polling stations in Rivers, Delta, Abia and Imo
States.
In contravention of stipulated INEC guidelines, there were reports of polling stations where accreditation and voting took place simultaneously. Such cases were reported in Plateau State (Gwon 040-NARAGUTA 'B'-JOS North), Kaduna State (PU 026 Hanwa Makera Sabon Gari LGA) and Imo State (PU 002 Umuma Isiaku ward, Ideato South).
Election-Related
Violence
Although
accreditation went on smoothly without incident in most polling units across
the country, significant incidences of shootings, protests, arson and
fatalities were recorded in most geopolitical zones.
For example,
election was suspended in Essan PU 004 in Dokota Ward, Gbako LGA, Niger State
due to unrest. In Eku community, Ethiope East LGA of Delta State, at least two
persons were killed after violence erupted. Furthermore, in Afikpo South LGA of
Ebonyi State, thugs reportedly intercepted the transportation of sensitive
materials in a polling unit in Oso Ward 2. In addition, the Ogudu, Odi-Olowo
(Mushin) and Osoroko (Ibeju Lekki) areas of Lagos State witnessed minor
skirmishes between supporters of the two major political parties, namely the
PDP and APC, with ballot boxes reportedly thrown into the lagoon in Osoroko.
Gunmen
were also reported to have taken over the Town Hall Polling Zone in
Ilase-Ijesa, Obokun LGA of Osun state. Rivers state reportedly recorded the
highest and most serious cases of violence during the accreditation process.
Protests, violence and sporadic shootings over alleged non-availability of some
electoral materials were reported in Buguma, Obio Akpor and Andoni LGAs.
In
Obio Akpor, for example, thugs reportedly snatched electoral materials meant
for voting. Also in Gokana LGA, men in fake military uniform and identity cards
were apprehended by the police. The house of the current Rivers state
Commissioner of Women Affairs, Mrs Joeba West, was also reportedly set ablaze.
Clashes involving political party agents were also reported in Iyamoyom in
Obubra LGA of Cross River State, leading to injuries.
Voter Turnout
Voter turnout was generally noted to be significantly lower than witnessed during the presidential elections, particularly in urban centres. CDD in its post-election analysis will comment more extensively on the issue of voter turnout and apathy.
Concluding Remarks
While accreditation in the 28 March 2015 presidential and national assembly elections was slowed down by technical hitches, today’s exercise appears to have taken place with a minimal number of glitches despite significantly lower voter turnout. However, many states have recorded worrying levels of election-related violence with considerable deterioration in Lagos and Rivers states, key battlegrounds.
CDD
notes with serious concern, the high incidence of human rights violations
reported across the country including loss of lives, arson and destruction of
property, deliberate targeting of electoral officials, intimidation of voters
etc.
It is crucial that security agencies uphold their primary responsibility
of maintaining law and order without partisanship. It is also imperative that
party leaders, agents and supporters refrain from all acts of intimidation,
incitement and violence. CDD calls on appropriate authorities to bring to
justice the perpetrators of all forms of electoral violence.
Signed
Idayat Hassan
Director
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