An election observer group, the Centre For Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness has petitioned Mahmood Yakubu, the National Chairman of the of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), and its Resident Commissioner in Bayelsa State, Mr. Baritor Kpagi, to look into glaring cases of election malpractice, including ballot snatching, in some sections of the electorates in Southern Ijaw and 6 other Local Government Areas in the re-run governorship election in the State.
An election observer group, the Centre For Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness has petitioned Mahmood Yakubu, the National Chairman of the of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), and its Resident Commissioner in Bayelsa State, Mr. Baritor Kpagi, to look into glaring cases of election malpractice, including ballot snatching, in some sections of the electorates in Southern Ijaw and 6 other Local Government Areas in the re-run governorship election in the State.
In its interim report on the re-run election, the NGO sited outright hijacking of in parts of Southern Ijaw, Nembe and Brass, urging the electoral body to urgently address the cases, if the election is to be seen and adjudged as transparent, free, fair and credible in the eyes of the international community.
Below is the full text of the petition:
09/01/2016
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu
National Chairman
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC
Abuja
ATTN: Mr. Baritor Kpagi, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bayelsa State
Sir,
INTERIM REPORT OF VISIBLE CASES OF ELECTORAL MALPRACTICES AND ANOMALIES IN BAYELSA GOVERNORSHIP RE-RUN
As an unbiased Non-Governmental Organization, NGO, charged with the responsibility of observing the ongoing re-run governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and some wards in 6 other LGAs, we wish to bring to your notice and the global community of some anomalies, which clearly negates the principle of democracy and the conduct of elections.
Our finding and report is based on the findings of our personnel, who have been deployed all over the State to observe the conduct of the exercise.
We wish to report that:
SOUTHERN IJAW
1. Electoral materials and INEC personnel never got to Lobia 1, 2 and 3 communities in Bassan area of Southern Ijaw LGA.
2. INEC ad-hoc staff also reported that, the bag containing the electoral materials was snatched and taken away by thugs allegedly working for one of the leading political parties,in the presence of security forces.
3. In Oyoma in SILGA constituency 2, the materials have also been taken away to an unknown destination.
4. In Ekowe community in SILGA constituency 3, there is a stand off between 2 groups, as to where voting should take place. One group is arguing that, the materials and INEC personnel be moved to a location, different from the already approved and known location (unit).
5. In Ukubie and Azuzuama, no materials and INEC staff was sighted, meaning the entire people of these communities have been de-enfranchised. No voting took place in these communities. Consequently, results are not expected from these areas.
BRASS
1. Materials and INEC personnel meant for Cape Formosa area, made up of Egweama, Beletiama and Liama were snatched and taken away by thugs to an unknown destination.
2. Same was the case for Minibie in Akassa area of Brass
3. Reports of snatching of materials for units 2, 4, 13 and 15 in Brass, with no elections taking place and this was confirmed by the Police DPO in the area, who equally disclosed the arrest and hand-cuffing of 2 thugs.
NEMBE
1. The Materials and personnel for Nembe ward 6 and 9 were hijacked and taken to Okpoama
These are fundamental issues that affect the success or failure of every election, guided by democratic principles and practices, in line with globally accepted standards.
They are equally glaring cases of malpractice and should be given due attention, if the election is to be seen and adjudged as transparent, free, fair and credible in the eyes of the international community.
This is our position, as an unbiased observer for the re-run governorship election in Bayelsa State and let us be reminded here too that, based on the standards set by the immediate past leadership of INEC at the national level, Nigerian democracy has received international reckoning and we should not, for whatever reasons lower the standards.
It is hoped that, you will use your good offices to dispassionately, as the unbiased umpire that you are, to examine this report and act in line with acceptable democratic norms and practices.
Dr. Gabriel Nwambu
The Director-General
Centre For Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness