By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Ahead of March 23 supplementary election in some states, YIAGA Africa has made 5 recommendations on how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would ensure electoral transparency.
YIAGA AFRICA Watching the Vote made the recommendation on Friday at a press conference in Abuja. It made the recommendation following its observed loopholes and observations recorded during the March 9 governorship and state assembly elections.
The group which does not want the reoccurrence of some of the mistakes in the past, also frowned at the judicial interference with the electoral process and maintains that :
“INEC should make public the data on the number of PVC collected in the affected polling units and share same with the stakeholders and also t it on its online and offline media platforms.
YIAGA AFRICA advised INEC to ensure accurate and timely deployment of election materials to affected polling units on Election Day.
It reminded that these supplementary elections were occasioned by the non-use of card readers or failure to deploy them to affected polling units. YIAGA AFRICA therefore called on INEC to insist on electronic accreditation of voters using the Smart Card Readers and PVC.
YIAGA AFRICA aslo called on INEC to strengthen its oversight on the electoral process, especially the results collation process in view of the contentious nature of the electuons in some states. Stressing that there should be strict compliance with the regulatuons and guidelines for the elections. It urged the commission to ensure timely reversal of guidelines in cases where its officials misapply such guidelines and communicate its decision in a timely manner. Adding that electoral officers who who deliberaytely disregard electoral guidelines should be sanctioned appropriately.
The group called for the utilization of INEC’s online and ofline medua platforms in sharing information with the public and to also maintain periodic briefing with election stakeholders on the election at both state and national levels.
YIAGA AFRICA called on Nigerians, who are the biggest stakeholders in this election to turm out in their numbers and cast their votes by properly thumbprinting to reduce the number of rejected /invalid votes as withnessed in previous elections.
Sundiata Post reminds that YIAGA AFRICA Watching the Vote will deploy 258 duly trained stationary observers and 6 roving observers in Saturday’s (tomorrow’s) elction to observe the conduct of the supplementary elections in the affected polling units and states. It will also deploy result collation centre observers to the 97 LGA and state result collation centres.