Crusaderhotnews
By Lucky Efese
Ahead of subsequent elections in the country, an observer group, Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI, has made case for credible elections characterised by integrity, saying the just concluded electioneering process in Edo State, fell short below expectations as the off-cycle governorship election in the state was characterised by electoral Violence, Vote buying, environmental situations like rainfall, bad roads, security lapses, logistics problems and ad-hoc staff incompetence and insensitivity among others.
In its post election observations press conference on the off-cycle governorship election in Edo State, penultimate Saturday, September 21 2024, KDI noted part of the election conduct was commendable, while others raised serious concern.
It commended the peaceful atmosphere of the election process despite high tension of threats associated with the campaign process prior to the election.
It particularly gave credit to the security agents which deployed high policing structures and intellectual professionalism to promote free movement of election materials, ad-hoc staff and voters across the state.
KDI Observed that the relative improvement in the functionality of BVAS, stressing that its Election Day Data Room report showed few cases of BVAS malfunctioning due to technical issues including ad-hoc staff not having password details at the polling units, just as it also commended the functionality of IReV and the timely uploading of polling units results, explaining as of 19.22 WAT, 92% of the expected polling units results were uploaded in the IReV.
It also noted some militating factors to include late commencement of polls resulting planning and logistical challenging to wit; transport preparation, delayed departures of INEC ad-hoc staff which also led to late arrival of election materials in some places.
KDI Observed that some polling units were unable to continue accreditation in Ikpoba Okha, Egor, Uhunmwode and Esan Central Local Government Areas and raised concern about the newly established culture of vote buying arising from malpractice which the security agents are yet to abate by not making any arrest of those behind the scene, saying it was prevalent in Akoko-Edo.
It also Observed the issues surrounding PVCs, Electoral violence in Etsako Central and Egor, as well as cases of voters intimidation in Etsako West, just as it also showed concern about acute weather conditions which resulted to 40% probability prediction of 2hr rainfall in some areas.
It also used predictive modelling to determine large turnout between 20% and 24% with a lower margin lead in comparison to the 2020 governorship election.
In its final analysis, KDI advised INEC to conduct a thorough audit of the ballot papers in areas adversely affected by weather conditions, to strengthen its contingency planning to account for logistical distribution of materials, INEC should priotise the adoption of automated systems for results collation to address human error and inefficiency.
INEC according to KDI, should work out modalities to arrest and prosecute those behind vote buying impunity through the mechanism of money inducement, made case for media to carry out priority investigative reporting on election day, INEC should strengthen the verification process of PVCs collections.
KDI also advised political actors and candidates to promote peaceful election process by advising their supporters accordingly as well as voters who are critical stakeholders should also ensure peaceful environment and also advised the security agents to expedite actions in arresting and prosecuting those perpetrating election violence, vote buying and any other criminally minded acts in an election.
0 Comments