Delight Chinedum
International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC), an election observer group has described Saturday September 28 Local Government election in Anambra State as free, fair and credible.
Coordinator, Prince Chris Azor, who stated this in a post election media briefing, commended the election umpire, Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), security agencies, sundry stakeholders and the electorate for exercising their franchise after over ten years of waiting for democracy at the grassroots.
He said the election was devoid of any form of conflict, violence, vote buying, rigging, over-voting or sundry malpractices at polling areas covered by the group.
He however expressed concerns over late commencement of the exercise in some polling units following personnel and logistical challenges, as well as absence of required cubicles and lack of braille for visually impaired voters in some polling.
He said, “The election commenced with a slow start as a result of personnel and logistical challenges which led to late commencement of polls in some polling units across the State.
“Even as we observed late commencement of polls, we heartily commend ANSIEC’s preparedness and enthusiasm to conduct the election as scheduled.
“The voting process progressed smoothly, through identification in the voter’s register and voting subsequently in a peaceful atmosphere. Counting, collation and declaration went on unhindered in the presence of Party agents, security and accredited election Observers.
“The entire process scaled through as expected in a free, fair credible and peaceful atmosphere.
“The polling units were properly set up with the Presiding Officer (PO) displaying the election materials to voters and other stakeholders present, prior to commencement of the voting process. However, we observed that some polling units did not have voting cubicles as required.
“Accreditation was done by identifying the voter on the register and clearing same to vote in the provided boxes marked for Chairman and Councillor.
“Voter turnout was low compared to the number of registered voters in the register.
“Collation commenced at the end of voting and counting of ballot. There were Collation Centres designated at the Wards and Local Government Areas.
“Our observers didn’t report any incident of over voting, throughout the exercise
“Our observers reported that ANSIEC lived up to its promise of giving priority to Persons With Disabilities, pregnant women and the elderly, to cast their ballot.
We didn’t however, witness the use of braille by the visually impaired.
“Our observers didn’t report any form of conflict or violence in the areas observed. Reports we got indicated that the exercise was generally peaceful.
“We didn’t observe any form of vote buying, rigging or sundry malpractices at the polling areas. However, there were some people who ordinarily had no official role within the polling units, but were loitering around the polling area.
“We observed Party Agents from APGA, PDP, and LP in most polling units visited.
“Our observers met security personnel from Policemen/women, NSCDC and Road Safety Officials at the polling units.
At a Church in Amawbia, we observed the presence of Red Cross Officers, who explained to us that they were going round in case of any health emergency.
“It’s our observation that the Anambra State Local Government Election of Saturday 28th September, 2024 held as scheduled.
“The election organized and conducted by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) was free, fair, credible and peaceful. The exercise witnessed initial delay in commencement due to logistics and personnel challenges. However, polls eventually progressed smoothly without any recorded conflict, violence or malpractices.”
Appreciating its team and partners, media and political parties for their peaceful conduct and patriotism, IPCRC recommended better strategic logistics management to forestall delays in commencement of polls.
The group also underscored the need for commencement of early voter education and citizen sensitization for improved voter turnout in future elections.
“Due to the prolonged absence of democracy at the local government, we recommend governance reforms, integrity and capacity building in local government administration.
“In the course of our work, we observed inadequate provision of voting cubicles as required by secret ballot principle. This gap needs to be filled as best practice.
“We observed high number of voters in some polling units. We therefore, recommend splitting of polling units to contain fewer number of voters not exceeding 500,” the group recommended.