The Centre of Democracy and Development (CDD) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address any pending logistical issues so that voting would happen without further delays.
CDD also urged the commission to ensure that it pays ad hoc workers all their allowances in order to prevent any problem that may sabotage Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Speaking ahead of the elections on Saturday, the Election Analysis Centre (EAC) of CDD said even though there are concerns about political violence, insecurity, disinformation, missing or misplaced election materials, welfare and security of ad-hoc election staff, leaving any of these issues unresolved could likely affect the smooth conduct of the elections.
“The postponement of the elections last week really affected a lot of people, particularly businesses and some voters who travelled hundreds of kilometre or even more to return to their polling units to vote,” Prof Adele Junaidu said during a briefing held at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.
“The speculation that the election will be rigged has created two scenarios amongst the people, a feeling of despondency and that votes will not count and in others in some parts of the country a strong reason to vote and defend their votes,” Junaidu said.
The EAC charged INEC to pay ad-hoc staff to avoid shortage and to ensure that all the missing or misplaced materials are rerouted to avoid shortfalls or any hitches.
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It noted that reassurances on radio and television stations by INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners are not evenly spread across the country, adding that it is simply not enough to increase people’s confidence in the system.
“INEC and all relevant stakeholders must engage in voter mobilisation to stave off apathy and the commission must increase its confidence-building measures particularly at the state levels,” the EAC stated.
Citing reports from its observers as well as researchers who conducted field group discussions, the analysis centre said it finds reports of Boko Haram attacks in Yobe State and Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, troubling.
In addition, the centre maintained that ongoing armed banditry in Zamfara and reports of kidnappings in Shiroro and Raffi LGAs of Niger State could affect deployment of officials for both observer groups and INEC.
The EAC, which was set up on February 11 to become a one-stop shop for rigorous analysis and countering fake news during the election, advised the police to desist from further re-deploying their personnel as this might send the wrong signals with voting just a few days away.
“In spite of these issues, our assessment based on Prof Yakubu’s briefings as well as verified information from thousands of our observers on the field, we believe that the Electoral Commission is ready for Saturday’s vote,” it said.
