Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission for the peaceful conduct of last Saturday’s National elections.
NSCIA through its Non-Governmental Organisation, the Education, .Social and Health Mission (MESH), however said there are lessons to be learnt from the elections.
Given the hitches recorded in last Saturday’s elections, MESH also called on INEC to do a review of its performance ahead of the coming Governorship and State Assembly polls slated for 11 March, 2023.
The NGO which actively participated in the process of observing the Presidential and National Assembly Elections in a statement signed by Oladipupo Khadijah
National Coordinator, Observers Group, said there were substantial adherence to the electoral process and procedure as stipulated by the electoral legal framework.
“Of particular importance was the BVAS technology deployed for accreditation and voting which has worked maximally across the country with very little hitches recorded.
“Though the BVAS machine was designed to check manipulations, the technology needs to be improved to transmit election results in real time to avoid rigging in order to protect the sanctity of the election results.
“High percentage of female electoral officials and large turnout of female voters wasobserved.
“Security personnel showed high degree of professionalism during the election across the country.
“Logistical challenges and isolated incidents of political violence, late arrival of electoral officers, overcrowded polling units, over voting, late hour collation of results overshadowed the largely successful electoral process and impeded a substantial number of voters from participating.
“The inability of election officials to upload and transmit election results in real time via the BVAS machine gave room for apprehension in some quarters.
“We call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a thorough post-elections review, to draw lessons and consider improving on their logistics operations, make provision for electricity at polling units for recharging BVAS machines and light up the polling units in case the voting process runs late, and to implement the recommendations of observers groups.
“MESH call on politicians to play by the rules guiding the Electoral process and to refrain from the use of provocative language, dissemination of misinformation,
which could create political tension, divisiveness, violence and undermine the democratic progress in Nigeria.
“MESH urges all stakeholders especially Faith-Based Organizations to intensify
voters’ education to reawaken and re-orientate Nigerians on the need to participate
fullyin the electoral process and shun violence at all costs.
