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Civil society organisation, ActionAid Nigeria has released a report of the Local Government election it observed in Enugu State, south ease Nigeria on Saturday 21st September, 2024 where vote buying and late arrival of election materials marred the process in some wards.
The organisaton deployed observers across the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 260 wards in the state during the Local Government elections.
Actionaid Nigeria made several observations that may assist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders in the future elections.
Arrival of ENSIEC Officials and Materials:
The observers noticed a significant delay in the arrival of Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) officials and election materials in 50% of the polling units observed.
According to the report, ENSIEC officials in Ituka polling unit, Awgu LGA, arrived at 11:11 AM, without result sheets and with only 15 voting sheets instead of the required 26. By 1:00 PM, only 50% of the 83 polling units monitored had received ENSIEC officials. In Ngwo Asaa 003 polling unit, voting materials did not arrive until 1:00 PM.
This delay resulted in voters being accredited after voting had commenced, in violation of electoral procedures.
Opening of Polls:
No election activities were recorded in 36% of the polling units observed across the 17 LGAs. In Isi Uzo LGA, there was no presence of ENSIEC officials or materials in the polling units, leaving them closed throughout the day, according to Actionaid Nigeria.
For instance, polling units such as Akpu 016 in Eha Ward 4 and Umoke Amasogiji 007 in Eha Amutu Ward 3 did not open for voting, the report stated.
The Voting Process
The report revealed further that, the late opening of polls, insufficient voting materials, and poor behavior from political party agents led to voter discouragement in some areas.
At Independence Layout 024, turnout was minimal, with some polling units recording no voters by 4:00 PM. The accreditation and voting process started late in many areas, with only 60% of the polling units observed able to conduct both processes.
In 51% of the polling units, voters were not required to present their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before voting, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the election.
Security Presence
Security agents were present in only 70% of the polling units observed. In some areas, such as Umuozzi II and Afor Ofufe, there was no security presence, leaving voters vulnerable to potential violence.
Conduct of Political Party Agents
The report also stated that the conduct of political party agents in 79% of the polling units observed was below expectations. In New Haven Primary School, party agents were seen campaigning for votes and distributing tags in exchange for vote-buying agreements.
Additionally, party agents were involved in physical altercations at CPS Amachalla Ward polling unit 001, and in Enugu East LGA, some party agents were seen assisting ENSIEC staff in managing the voting process.
Vote Buying
Vote buying was reported in 12% of the polling units observed, with instances of party agents giving money to both ENSIEC officials and voters.
This was particularly noted in polling units such as CPS Amankwo Ndiagu-001 in Ezeagu LGA, where financial and material inducements were recorded, according to the report.
Close of Voting and Counting of Votes
As of 4:00 PM, voting had officially ended in 65% of polling units observed. However, only 55% of these polling units were able to sort and collate votes. In some areas, such as Central School Ngwo, voting continued past 4:00 PM.
At Amajioka village hall Ward, voting concluded, but votes were not counted, further raising concerns about the election’s transparency.
The report signed by
Andrew Mamedu,
Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria represents the observation of the organisaton from the field with proofs without any bias whatsoever.
ActionAid Nigeria is a national, non-governmental, non-partisan civil society organization and an affiliate of the ActionAid International Federation, which operates in 45 countries.
The civil society organisation works in solidarity with marginalised people to achieve social justice, gender equality, and poverty eradication.
