Elections: Group condemned gross misconduct during the last election

Elections: Group condemned gross misconduct during the last election 

Community life project, justice development and peace center (JDPC) in collaboration with Caritas Nigeria gives interim report on March 18 Governoship and state house of assembly election in Nigeria.

The group laments the level of low turn out of voters during the election, in places like Bayelsa, Imo, Kaduna, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Plateau States. They said the number of voters was less than 20% of registered voters, the turnout was lower than the presidential election.

Rev. Raymond Anoliefe, Executive Director Justice Development and Peace Center (JDPC) Lagos, gave this report while speaking to the journalist last Tuesday at their office, he commended early arrival of INEC officials, he notes that there was a great improvement in the use of BVARS and the electoral materials.

Meanwhile there are reported cases of BVAS and ballot box snatching.

Rev. Raymond complained of voters apparty in some parts of Lagos, South East and South South area of the country. He said there are cases of vote buying across the country. 

He notes that" the election was preceded by days of serious intimidation of voters in several states. As a result, many voters chose to stay away from the polls for fear of being attacked." 

"Though the election was peaceful and smooth in very many units across the country, there were serious incidents of violence and voter intimidation in several states across the country, said Mrs. Ngozi, Executive Director of Community Life Project, (CLP)." 

Mrs. Ngozi also spoke on abuse of Office and misconduct of duty bearers, she said there was abuse of office and gross misconduct on the part of duty bearers including incumbent governors and other public officers, traditional rulers and security personnel. " In a number of states, duty bearers infringed on the right of civil servants, citizens and communities to freely exercise their franchise using tactics as threats and blackmail." The role of security personnel was mixed. She said there were several reports indicating failure of security personnel to live up to their responsibilities.

It was note that, result management was much better handled by INEC in their election compared to the Presidential Election. "An election is credible when it is free, fair and transparent, Saturday's election does not seem to have met these conditions."

The group made some recommendations, "INEC must be willing to submit itself to independent accountability process, post election and live up to it's mandate as an institution funded with public funds".

"The commission must be willing and seen to take concrete steps to investigate cases of gross violation of the electoral act and guidelines whether by it's staff, political actors, security personnel or citizens and ensure that offenders are brought to book."

"Civil Society organizations should intensify efforts to engage duty bearers to provide sustainable policy solutions to the identified gaps in the Nigerian electoral system, and security agencies must investigate, arrest and prosecute those who perpetrated violence against the citizens and rid our society of political thugs".