Group under the auspices of Intercontinental Leadership Initiative(ILI) has commend Nigerians, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the conduct of the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly election that took place on Saturday 25th February, 2023 in Nigeria.
The group made their position known in a press conference which took place in Jos, the Plateau State capital and was signed by Prince Stafford Jedidiah Bisong stated as follows:
This is a post-Election observation press conference text by the Intercontinental Leadership Initiative and a Coalition of INEC Accredited Observer Groups for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections dated Monday 27th of February, 2023, Jos Plateau state Nigeria.
THEME: “ENHANCING OUR DEMOCRACY”.
Greetings to you all, Gentlemen and Ladies of the Press. The ILI Team have once again seen the need ‘’to make this Press Release in regards to the just concluded 2023 Presidential and National Assembly General Election that took place on Saturday the 25th of February, 2023.
We want to use this opportunity to thank and congratulate every Nigerian who came out and exercised their franchise by voting the candidates of their choice as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts in ensuring a credible election. However, it is quite unfortunate that despite the efforts put into place by stake holders, there were a lot of matters arising Vice Avis:
Logistics: The INEC Officials and the ADHOC staff arrived late at most Polling Units due to insufficient vehicles to transport the officials to their various posts of duties
Most polling units suffered few electoral materials provided for the voters. Example, Nyes 018 Polling Unit, Mangu LGA Plateau State where one BVAS was to serve over a thousand people.
Security: Nigerians were promised a safe and secured environment for voting by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba CFR but we all can attest to records of violence and insecurities in many polling centers and that can only mean that the number of security personnel in every polling unit is not enough or otherwise, many polling units had only one security personnel. Example: A Police Officer in Halle Primary School Polling Unit of Mangu Halle Ward 2 Collation Centre, Mangu LGA of plateau State reported that each polling unit was assigned with one police officer. However, some polling units had no security personnel at all. Example: Sarki 3 Polling Unit, Panyam Ward had no security personnel even during the voting exercise.
Voting Process: Some voters were texted by INEC on election day for change of polling stations and as such, voting was made difficult for Nigerians. Example: the PDP gubernatorial Candidate, Bar. Caleb Mutfwang received a text message from INEC on election day for change of polling unit. Some of the polling units reported to have some political parties omitted in the ballot papers. Example: Zabot Village polling unit of Zabot Ward, Barkin Ladi LGA Plateau State.
Some of the polling units reported to have less ballot papers compared to the number of registered voters. Example: Warat polling unit of zabot ward, Barkin Ladi LGA Plateau State.
Counting of Ballots: Ballots were counted in the presence of all the party agents and stakeholders present. Although some were taken as late as 2:00am thereabout. Example: Albarkans Primary School Polling Unit, Tudun Wada, Jos North LGA Plateau State. This led to the lateness in conclusion of voting and counting of ballots up until till 2:00am thereabout.
BVAS Functionality: Some of the voters’ cards were not recognized by the BVAS but their names were found in the print out documents provided and thus were not allowed to vote.
Uploading of Results: there was no real time for results upload in virtually 70% of the polling units observed as reported by the Intercontinental Leadership Initiative field observers. It was reported that results were uploaded offline since there were issues with the INEC result viewing portal.
These and many more reasons brought about tension in most polling units that even led to some of the INEC Staff to be detained by voters for not making the voting exercise to be carried out.
Also, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission – INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu succinctly addressed Nigerians of how ready the INEC body is towards the election but unfortunately, the outcome was otherwise.
LASTLY: There was no provision made by INEC for the Filed Staff for welfare like food, drinks and a place to sleep for the two days of work and this made some of the staff expressed their regrets for coming out to work. And in the end of the voting exercise, there was no vehicle readily available for transportation of staff and logistics. Example: Kuru Ward of Jos South LGA, Plateau State.
Finally, we call on INEC to work towards improving in the area of logistics and the BVAS Technology moving forward. We also call on the Inspector General of Police and Heads of other Security Agencies to also improve on security delivery in subsequent elections especially the fourth coming governorship and state houses of assembly coming up in March 11, 2023!!!
For further enquires please contact,
Prince Stafford Jedidiah Bisong
Phone: 07032627224
Email: princestaffordbisong@gmail.com
