Nigeria Missed Opportunity To Improve On Polls, Says Observer Group

An election observer group, YIAGA Africa, has said that logistic
challenges and misconduct by political parties during last
weekend’s presidential and National Assembly elections showed that
Nigeria missed an opportunity to improve the quality of her
elections.

This was contained in the group’s preliminary findings on the
conduct of the elections made public in Abuja, yesterday.

According to YIAGA AFRICA, the presidential and National
Assembly polls were characterized by many of the same shortcomings
that have marred previous national elections in Nigeria.

“As in past elections, the Independent National Electoral
Commission’s (INEC’s( logistical challenges resulted in late
opening in 59 per cent of polling units that together with
instances of misconduct by political parties in some polling units
compromised the ability of some citizens to vote and undermined
public confidence in the process.

“These issues do not necessarily undermine the overall
credibility of the process, according to YIAGA AFRICA, but Nigeria
missed an opportunity to improve the quality of its elections.

“These were not the elections Nigerians wanted; they were not
the elections Nigerians expected; and, most importantly, they were
not the elections Nigerians deserved.

Our election commission must improve its capacity to deliver
credible elections and our political parties must play according to
the rules. Failure to do so could fundamentally threaten our
democracy,” said Chair of the WTV Working Group, Dr. Hussaini
Abdu.

He added that despite the one week delay, YIAGA AFRICA noted
that INEC continued to experience significant logistical challenges
that resulted in late opening of polling units.

“YIAGA AFRICA’s Watching the Vote findings showed that polling
units opened late throughout the country with only 41 per cent of
polling units open as at 10:30 am and with polling units in the
South-South and South-East opening later than polling units in
other geopolitical zones.

“Once polling units opened, most polling units had essential
election materials. Smart Card Readers were present in 99 per cent
of polling units and were largely used throughout accreditation and
voting.

“However, YIAGA AFRICA is concerned by tally sheet data gathered
from its observers indicating that nearly half of voters may have
voted with the Smart Card Reader authenticating only their
Permanent Voters Card and not their fingerprints.

“YIAGA AFRICA also notes that counting procedures were not
rigorously adhered to in all polling units, and registers with
particular concern that results were not publicly posted at the
polling unit in 19 per cent of polling units.

“Finally, YIAGA AFRICA noted that its preliminary estimates for
voter turnout indicate that turnout will be lower than in 2015,”
the group noted.