Nigeria: ECOWAS Election Observer team commends INEC’s preparedness to conduct hitch free elections
By Chinyere Ogbonna – Ahead of tomorrow’s Presidential and National Assembly elections ECOWAS Election Observers Team has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for its readiness and ability to conduct the tomorrow’s Presidential and National Assembly elections after the postponement of last Saturday’s scheduled polls which got many people disappointed and talking.
The team was also optimistic that the security agencies were capable of conducting a hitch free polls. Addressing journalists in the nation’s capital, Abuja, the leader of the team and former Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf expressed confidence in the ability of the Electoral umpire and security operatives to conduct a successful election
“Tomorrow you will have the privilege to vote for the leaders of your choice and in doing so, consolidate the country’s young democracy. The process has not been easy but nothing worth fighting for is, the people of Africa stand in solidarity with you. We extend thanks, admiration and gratitude to the Nigerian people for their patience, in the face of the last-minute interruption to their lives with the postponement of the 2019 general elections”.
“We have watched the progress of INEC over the past week working together with domestic and international partners, we are pleased that this operational constraint has been significantly addressed thus creating a conducive atmosphere for tomorrow’s general elections.”
In another development, another election observer group, the Coalition of Elections Observer Group do not seem to share the same view as they think that last week’s postponement might affect voter turnout out on tomorrow’s election.
There are fears that voter apathy may result from the postponement. This explains why political parties and the Electoral umpire increased in the last on week.
Less than 24 hours to the rescheduled polls, groups of accredited election observers are appealing to the electorate to demonstrate their patriotism, by coming out en masse to vote candidates of their choices in Saturday’s election.
Meanwhile, some Observer groups however have expressed concern over the spate of violence reported in some states across the country.
“The spate of violence witnessed since the election was rescheduled from 16th of February 2019, further validates earlier findings of out election Dr trade assessment. We particularly call on security actors to refrain from unwarranted use of force and should promptly address any incidence that is likely to cause electoral violence before, during and after the elections.”
INEC has been severely criticized by Nigerians as well politicians for postponing the election earlier scheduled to hold last Saturday, February 16 and was shifted to Saturday, February 23rd.
In the last five days, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has on a daily basis been giving updated on the preparations for February 23rd Presidential and National Assembly elections and convinced Nigerians that the elections were postponed due to logistical problems.
“Tomorrow is election day. A total of 72million, seven hundred and seventy-five thousand, five hundred and two citizens who have collected their Permanent Voter Cards are eligible to cast their ballots.”
However, there are still concerns about sufficiency and the reliability for smart card readers, shortfalls of result sheets as well as under age voters.
“A voter will only be allowed to vote if his or her name is on the register of voters and after the verification of the PVC and authentication of his or her biometrics by the smart card readers, no genuine PVC no vote.”
Also speaking at the conference, the inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu explained the strategies employed by the police to secure Nigerians during the elections
Earlier, President Mohammadu Buhari in a nationwide broadcast appealed to Nigerians not to be deterred by rumours of violence and go out to vote to exercise their civic duty.
“As your president I hereby ask all Nigerians with voting cards to participate in defining the future I our nation by exercising your democratic rights tomorrow. I urge you to out and vote. Do not be afraid of rumours of violence and unrest. Our security agencies have worked diligently to ensure that adequate security measures are in place. Be able to vote in making sure that openness and peace give way to share of threat or intimidation.”
“International and domestic monitors and observers are assured of their safety and freedom of movement needed to perform their important functions. Let me thank the domestic monitors and observers for their contributions for their contributions to our democracy.”
“We also thank the international groups for their fellowship and concern they have demonstrated to our nation.”
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned underage voters to stay away from the general elections, warning that anyone less than 18 years who is caught being accredited will be arrested.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, handed down the warning while briefing stakeholders in Abuja, the nation’s capital about the Commission’s preparedness for tomorrow’s polls.
“Under-aged voting is illegality because there is a statutory age for eligibility for registration as a voter. But what you should do is that if on election day, you find anyone that is apparently under-aged, or conclusively so, kindly report this to any official of the Commission or the security agencies,” he said.
According to the INEC Chief Executive, the Commission is working with the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to effectively identify areas that might disrupt the voting process.
According to Professor Yakubu, it is only Nigerians who have been registered for the elections that can exercise their franchise.
“Any underage person caught trying to be accredited or voting on the election day will be arrested. Voting is only open to Nigerian citizens who are above the statutory age of 18 (years).”
The INEC boss also warned those planning to sponsor minors to vote,
“Let me use this opportunity to warn those who may want to sponsor underage persons to vote on election day that they will be arrested.”
With less than ten hours to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the electoral umpire has stated its commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections.
