A non-governmental organisation, Yiaga Africa has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to apply its guidelines in the Edo state governorship election billed for Saturday without favour or ill feelings.
It also raised concerns over security threat and voter inducement during the poll.
Blueprint reports that about 2.2 million registered voters are scheduled to participate during the exercise with Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party(LP) as the leading contestants.
Executive Director Yiaga Africa Samson Itodo disclosed this to journalists in Benin City Thursday during the official opening of the Seeing The Vote (WTV) Data Centre and pre-election briefing.
Itodo, who said the organisation had monitored elections in Nigeria and other countries in Africa, noted that they measured electoral integrity, using the Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology.
He said Yiaga Africa had deployed 35 trained and accredited observers to monitor the election.
Itodo added that the deployed observers include 300 stationary observers to be placed at a randomly selected sample of 300 polling units across the 18 local government areas of the state.
…Security concerns
Also speaking, Chairperson Yiaga Africa 2024 Edo Election Mission, Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, charged INEC “to demonstrate its capacity to conduct a transparent, credible and efficient election.”
She urged voters to show resilience by turning up to vote in their various polling units.
The group, according to Abdullahi, had identified eight local government areas that could potentially become hotspots in the ongoing governorship election process.
She listed them to include Ikpoba/Okha, Oredo, Egor, Ovia South West, Ovia North East, Esan South East, Etsako West, and Etsako East.
The mission’s chairperson warned of a high likelihood that politicians might resort to violence in their bid to manipulate the upcoming election.
The group referenced the involvement of cult groups in the campaign process and the high-level proliferation of small arms, not only in the state, but across the country.
She said: “The activities of cult groups and political thugs have intensified amidst the proliferation of small and light arms. YIAGA Africa is concerned that politicians will tactically employ violence and intimidation to suppress voters in specific polling units and LGAs.”
It also added: “Armed groups and political thugs may disrupt INEC’s deployment of election materials or elections at the polling units to influence the outcome of the elections.
“The volatile security environment in these LGAs necessitates a strategic and neutral deployment of security forces.”
The group called on security agents to be professional before, during and after the poll, apprehend electoral offenders, and also respect the rights of citizens, media, and observers.
…Voter inducement
On voter inducement, YIAGA “observed multiple instances of voter inducement during the pre-election campaign period in Edo State. Political parties and politicians continue to distribute cash, gifts, and food items to entice voters.
“These monetary gifts, ranging from ₦1,000 to ₦2,000, raise serious concerns about the credibility of the electoral process. These practices of voter inducement undermine the integrity of the electoral process, as they can distort the free will of the electorate and compromise the democratic principle of free and fair elections.”
The group noted that the practice may extend to Election Day, turning polling units into the epicentre of vote buying.
it said that voters should be allowed to make voting decisions based on informed judgment rather than material incentives.
YIAGA also raised concerns about a potential low turnout of voters due to the threat of violence, economic hardship, and lack of confidence in the electoral process.
…Police to be monitored
Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission (PSC) Thursday said staff monitors from the commission have already arrived Edo state to monitor the conduct of police officers during the poll.
A press statement by the Head Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, in Abuja, said the commission’s team will be led by a Commissioner in the PSC, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (retd.), and will include other high ranking staff.
“The staff monitors will operate from the three Senatorial Districts and will hold the Police accountable for their actions or inactions before, during and after the election.
“Police Officers on electoral duties are expected to be neutral and ensure that both the voters and the voting materials are protected and secured.
“The officers are also expected to ensure that voting is peaceful and orderly and that voters are given unfettered access to discharge their civic responsibility,” the spokesperson said.
“The leader of delegation, DIG Lakanu, has charged the police officers on election duties to be civil, smart but strict in enforcing the electoral laws.
“He said as lead Agency in internal security, which includes security of election, the Police in Edo elections should exhibit strong leadership qualities expected of them.
“DIG Lakanu said the Commission will discipline any Police Officer who fails to conduct himself in a manner deserving of his office, adding that the success or failure of the election depends on the effectiveness of the Police Officers on duty.
“He said the commission will also commend Officers who exhibit examplary conduct during the elections,” the statement further said.
The commission also released dedicated telephone numbers for Nigerians to reach the Commission’s situation Room in Benin to present their complaints or commendation on the conduct of Police Officers during the election.
“The numbers are: State Coordinator (08064696711, 08185241907,07038231615). Edo South (08035909482,08052084461). Edo Central (08033145592, 08037879854). Edo North (08055480701, 08083283429). Media Coordinator 08033345362.
“The monitoring of Police conduct during elections is one of the Commission’s obligations to ensure the sustenance of the nation’s fragile democracy,” he added.