YIAGA AFRICA has urged the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the logistic challenges noticed during  the Nov.17, 2018 by-election in some states.

According to the group, the outcome of the commission’s investigation would serve as a confidence building measure.

Executive Director, YIAGA AFRICA ,Mr Samson Itodo, made the call while briefing newsmen on the group’s Watching The Vote(WTV)project observation of the by-elections conducted in Bauchi,Katsina and Kwara states.

According to Itodo , the stakes are high for the 2019 election and  INEC and other  stakeholders must show commitment to free, fair and credible elections.

He said that YIAGA AFRICA WTV deployed roving observers to monitor the elections and they reported poor logistics management in Toro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State.

He said that some challenges with the transportation of adhoc officials and election materials from the Registration Area Camps (RACs) to the polling units on election day resulted in  late commencement of voting  in some polling units.

Itodo said that in some cases, corps members had to make personal transportation arrangements to convey materials to the polling stations

“The success of every election depends on the ability of INEC to properly manage elections operations and logistics .

“It also behoves on INEC to ensure that every plan includes a detailed framework to cater for the needs of personnel deployed for elections.

“YIAGA AFRICA WTV calls on INEC to ensure adequate planning for election logistics.

“The commission should thoroughly investigate the reasons for the logistical challenges in the Toro federal constituency election and take appropriate action to avert sabotage of logistic arrangements during the 2019 general elections,” he said.

Itodo said that democracy thrived when citizens exercised their right to vote in periodic elections.

He stressed  the need for greater coordination and transparency in the management of election security while urging  security agencies to share deployment plans with INEC in a timely manner.

The executive director also urged all security agencies to uphold the principles of patriotism, neutrality, professionalism, accountability and mutual respect in election security operations.

This, he said, was because inter-agency rivalry was a threat to peaceful and credible elections.

Also, Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu , a member of YIAGA AFRICA WTV Working Group said that INEC needed to demonstrate commitment to the welfare of ad hoc officials such as  the NYSC members through early planning and funding.

Nwagwu said that WTV called on INEC to institute an efficient mechanism to enforce and monitor the implementation of welfare plan for ad hoc officials.

He also urged INEC to ensure that  polling officials were adequately trained before deployment to ensure uniformity in compliance with  the electoral law and guidelines during elections.

Nwagwu advised the commission to  strengthen its oversight and supervision mechanism on election day and ensure due diligence in the recruitment of ad hoc officials for elections especially Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPOs).

He said this was because their neutrality and integrity were critical for credibility of electoral outcomes.

Nwagwu also advised security agencies especially the Nigeria police, Department of State Services and the Nigerian army to remain impartial and neutral in the management of election security.

He said that security agencies should respect the constitutional rights of citizens to cast their vote without any form of intimidation, harassment or threat.

Nwagwu said that with the commencement of the political campaigns for the general elections, YIAGA AFRICA expected a fully charged political environment.

He, therefore, reminded political parties that healthy and peaceful electoral competition ultimately deepened democracy.

“To this end, we urge them to engage citizens in issue-based campaigns and refrain from hate speech and incendiary messages that could destabilise public peace.

“We call on Nigerians to actively interrogate the manifestoes of candidates and prepare to vote for candidates based on capacity, character and competence, “he said

-NAN

BE

– Nov. 19, 2018 @ 18:39 GMT |