A Civil Society group, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has reminded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it expects an improved administration and management of the 2022 Ekiti State Governorship Election.
Situation Room has also called on the Nigeria Police to enforce to the latter the Operational Guidelines for Police Officers on Election Duty just as it wants all the security agencies deployed for the election to demonstrate their commitment to non-partisanship and ensure adequate security for the election.
The position of Situation Room was made public on Friday in Ado Ekiti, capital of Ekiti state during a press conference addressed by Co-Convener, Comrade James Ugochukwu and attended by Accredited foreign and local journalists covering the election.
Situation Room which has convened in Ado Ekiti to observe the Governorship Election has already deployed its Election Observers across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state will also receive reports from its partners and networks as part of its observation of the election.
According to Situation Room, the campaigns leading to the election has been relatively peaceful but the death of one person when different factions of the drivers’ union supporting one party over the other clashed means that the security agencies should be at alert to deal with the threat given the state’s history of political violence.
Said he: “This Governorship Election is the first election to be conducted following the enactment of a new Electoral Law. Thus, expectations are high especially with regards to highly deployment of poll officials and materials, logistics, election security and inclusivity, amongst others”, Situation Room said.
It also said it notes the assurances given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a transparent election and the Nigerian Police to provide adequate security to voters and poll officials professionally.
Accordingly, Situation Room has outlined its expectations for the 2022 Ekiti state Election to include an improved administration and management of Saturday’s election and to take steps to hold poll officials to account for any violation of its guidelines.
Howeve, Situation Room said it has observed with joy the smooth distribution of sensitive election materials from INEC State Headquarters to Registration Area Centers (RACs) and Super RACs in some locations hence it is commending the Commission.
“Situation Room commends INEC’s novel approach in the logistics and early distribution of sensitive election materials two days to the election day”, the group said.
It therefore charged INEC that given that Ekiti state does not have any difficult terrain, Situation Room expects an early deployment of materials and officials on the election day and that Situation Room will be holding INEC accountable for its commitment and assurances, and will look out specifically for the following on Saturday.
They include Early distribution and deployment of personnel and materials; Timely opening of polls; knowledge of election procedures by INEC ad hoc staff; Voting procedures particularly the efficacy of the BVAS; Electronic transmission of polling unit results and Upload to INEC Results Portal (IRev Portsl) and Transparent Collation process.
