Kayode ShopekanFOUNDER of YIAGA AFRICA, Samson Itodo, has encouraged Independent National Electoral Commission to improve its performance at conducting elections in the country, in order to gain the trust of Nigerians.
Itodo, made this statement while analysing the reason for a supplementary election in the Anambra governorship election.
“Nigerians do not really trust that their votes will count in elections and this accounts for the low turnout often experienced”
According to him, “late deployment of election staff, sensitive and non-sensitive materials to the polling unit was the first major setback experienced during the election, which led to elections not happening in some places at all.”
INEC needs to make proper and adequate arrangements always, to avert such situations as what panned out in Anambra, where accreditation and election did not kick off until mid-day, at some polling units.
Another problem that INEC, needs to quickly do something about is the Bimodal Verification and Accreditation System (BVAS) that was deployed for the election. The BVAS, Card Readers being used for elections should be in perfect conditions.
“The BVAS malfunctioned in almost all the polling the units where they were deployed, further causing a delay in the electioneering process. Vote-buying as was evident in the Anambra governorship election is what must be frowned at and culprits given proper punishment.”
YIAGA AFRICA demanded that one of the Electoral Officer Comfort Omoruyi, who was fingered for corrupt practices during the Anambra election be sanctioned and used as an example to all other staff.
“INEC has what it takes to conduct a hitch-free election in the country, he advised the commission to learn from the challenges experienced in Anambra and improve on them as we face Ondo soonest, Itodo, said.
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