By Perpetua Onuegbu
The International Police Chaplain Sustainable Development and Law Enforcement, Inc. (IPCSL), U.S, has affirmed that the Edo off-circle September 21, governorship elections was transparent and credible.
Mr Blessing Akinlosotu, Africa Director/Commander in Chief, IPCSL and Head of Mission, 2024 Edo State Governorship Election said this in a preliminary report on the election on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be commended for remarkable improvements in almost all areas of its operational requirements for a successful election process.
Akinlosotu said the mission observed deployment of heavy security across Edo involving all known security apparatus in the country, including the military to deter breach of peace and security.
“This massive deployment of security must have contributed remarkably to the calmness and orderliness experienced days before, during and after polls, as against initial speculations of violence.
“The IPCSL mission generally found that election officials were adequately trained on voting procedures and that election materials were mobilised as required by the Electoral Code of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Also, the respect of the provision related to the secrecy of the vote was noted: each polling centre was equipped with a polling booth.
“In terms of participation and voter mobilisation, the attendance and turnout in polling units did not witness very large figures compared to the 2023 General Election.
“There was no observable incidence of vote trading which was an emerging trend in recent electioneering processes in Nigeria,” Akinlosotu said.
He, however, recommended more voters education and mass densitidation by both the electoral body and political parties.
“Our mission team recommends further review of electoral laws and guidelines to tackle negative incidences observed that need adequate legislation.
“Review of security strategies to avoid creating avoidable tension and security scares.
“We recommend that INEC continue to interact with political parties and civil society organisations in order to strengthen and deepen the nation’s democracy.
“In any case, candidates and political actors are urged to resort to legal channels in seeking redress in all circumstances to sustain social peace,” Akinlosotu said.
The mission commander urged Civil Society Organisations to pursue civic education and citizen sensitisation in order to strengthen inclusive participation during elections.
Speaking on reported incidences of vote buying he said the team did not notice such.
“We affirm that the percentage of irregularities observed was very minimal and below five per cent and this could not warrant a call for cancellation.
“However we charge INEC, security agencies and political actors to work very closely together in sustaining a better avenue for greater elections in the future.”
Also, a member of the mission, Mr Oscar Kalu, while commending INEC for a job well done urged it to invest more in the comfort, welfare and convenience of voters.
Kalu said the commission should make provision for canopies that would protect voters from rain or sun adding that such would encourage people to come out to vote. (NAN)