The Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections of 26 April 2011 were another significant step towards the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria. They took place against the background of considerable violence and fears that accompanied the presidential election the previous week.
The Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections of 26 April 2011 were another significant step towards the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria. They took place against the background of considerable violence and fears that accompanied the presidential election the previous week.
Although in general there was low turnout, reports from Civil Society Election Situation Room observers indicate that the elections were well organized and largely peaceful in many states of the federation. In other states, however, there were considerable reports of violence, ballot box snatching and other forms of electoral malpractice.
We note with satisfaction the high turnout of NYSC members following the post-election violence and the threats to its members in the wake of last week’s presidential election. In that respect, we commend the role of the security services in guaranteeing their participation in the just-concluded elections.
However, the Civil Society Election Situation Room has certain concerns as it relates to the conduct of these elections. Contrary to our call for the political authorities to ensure that the security forces discharge their duties in a professional manner, reports reaching us show that this was not always heeded in Akwa Ibom, Imo and Katsina. Furthermore, the deployment of soldiers in potentially volatile parts of the country appears to have reduced the levels of violence, including thuggery and ballot box snatching. It was also the case that their presence in such heavy numbers may have had the contrary effect of intimidating voters, hence the low turnout witnessed in most states in the country compared to the previous exercise.
We also note the ambiguity surrounding the curfew and/or restriction of movement imposed in certain states, notably Imo, Katsina and Plateau. Concerning Imo State, for instance, it is now clear that a curfew was initially imposed from 6 p.m. yesterday until 6 a.m. today, and subsequently extended to 10 a.m. Given the reports of serious ,electoral malpractices in various polling units in the state, in particular Owerri, Mbaise and Mbano, the palpable fear is that the curfew was simply a ploy to prevent observers and party agents from monitoring the collation process. This is especially troubling since it is the collation process that has proved the weakest link in the quest for free, fair and credible elections.
The Civil Society Election Situation Room is also concerned about reports that there were a number of places where no voting took place but where results appear to have been compiled, including large parts of Idoma land in Benue South and also Isoko land and Warri in Delta State. Our observers reported that in some states, such as Sokoto and Kano, many voters refrained from exercising their franchise on the grounds that they believed that their votes would not count. Some even went as far as burning their registration cards as an expression of their disgust, and yet returns were made by the Resident Electoral Commissioners.
We further observed that in certain locations such as Akwa Ibom, Benue, Imo and Katsina states, the distribution of ballot papers was half or less than half of the number required based on registration figures. A related problem was the absence of results’ sheets at many polling units, or, in some cases, duplicates of the real thing without the security markings. In all of these areas, INEC personnel, including NYSC members and security officials, allegedly colluded in the observed malpractices. We also received reports that some desperate politicians actually resorted to sewing fake NYSC uniforms and printing fake ballot papers to carry out their nefarious deeds.
For all these reasons, the Civil Society Election Situation Room calls on INEC to investigate all allegations of serious misconduct and, if those are validated, to void the elections affected and organise a re-run. Additionally, INEC should undertake a comprehensive and transparent audit of the entire 2011 electoral process with a view to plugging the gaps observed.
For: Elections Situation Room
Dr Jibrin Ibrahim
Executive Director
Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD)
Tel: 0803 4001200
Clement Nwankwo
Executive Director
Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC)
Tel: 0803 8899999
Civil Society Election Situation Room Statement On April 26 Elections
April 27, 201Text Box: 2011 ELECTION SITUATION ROOM MEMBERS. Action Aid Nigeria Alliance for Credible Election (ACE) Centre for Democracy and Development Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) CLEEN Foundation Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) Community Emergency Response Initiative (CERI) Community Life Project (CLP) Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI) Enough is Enough Forward Africa Human Development and Care Centre Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law JDPC/Caritas Nigeria Next Generation Youth Initiative Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) Women Environment Programme Women’s Right to Education Program (WREP) 1
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