Anambra Election: Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room Releases Preliminary Statement
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) has convened in Awka, Anambra State to observe the Anambra State Governorship Election 2021. We note the peculiar tense political environment and the subsequent apprehension that have trailed the election. Despite the prevailing challenges, we commend the people of Anambra for their commitment to the democratic process in the State.
We note the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the election. We also acknowledge the efforts of the security agencies to maintain law and order. Situation Room is counting on the assurances of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force that they are fully prepared for the election, with INEC assuring that logistics and deployment are fully under its control and the Police assuring that it will keep the security situation under check.
Situation Room will work with her over 70 partners and networks to observe the election and receive reports from across the 21 local government areas of the State.
INEC and Election Administration: Early in the year 2021, INEC embarked on the expansion of voter access to polling units, under which new polling units were created, as well as the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. However, these activities were stalled by sit-at-home orders in the South East and pockets of violence in Anambra State. Distribution of permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) are still on-going in the State. Situation Room therefore urges registered voters to take advantage of the public holiday in the State today, to go out en masse and collect their PVCs.
Situation Room expects an improved administration and management of the 2021 Anambra State Governorship Election and will be holding INEC accountable for its commitment and assurances of preparedness, and will look out for the following, as INEC administers the elections:
Early distribution and deployment of personnel and materials
Timely opening of poll
Adherence to COVID-19 Protocols on Election day
Knowledge of election procedures by INEC ad hoc staff
Voting procedures particularly the efficacy of the new Bi-modal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS)
Transmission of polling units results
Transparent Collation process
Situation Room will also keep a close eye on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal as an additional layer of accountability and transparency in this election.
Security Agencies: Situation Room calls on all security agencies to deploy effectively across the State, taking special cognisance of the remote and riverine areas, as well as security flash points, while adhering strictly to the rules of engagement. We shall be observing the conduct of the security agencies. We further call on the Police to document evidence of violence, infractions and their perpetrators and share this information with INEC, in order to speedily bring offenders to book.
Political Parties: We call on the political parties to play by the rules and to support the conduct of a free, fair and credible election in Anambra State. They should note that this election is not worth the blood of any citizen of Anambra State and Nigerians at large. Parties and their candidates should uphold the spirit and contents of the Peace Accord they entered into in the full view of the world. There is a moral and legal obligation to abide by this agreement and there will be consequences in this regard, in accordance to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Conclusion: Situation Room enjoins all eligible voters in Anambra State to come out tomorrow, Saturday, 6th November 2021 and effectively participate in the process of electing a leader of their choice for the State.
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SIGNED:
Ene Obi
Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Asma’u Joda
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
James Ugochukwu
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
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The Situation Room is made up of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working in support of credible and transparent elections in Nigeria numbering more than seventy. The Steering Committee is made up of: Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Women and Adolescent Empowerment, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), African Centre for Entrepreneurship and Information Development (ACEIDEV), Justice Development and Peace Commission (JPDC) Nnewi, ASPILOS Foundation, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Mac-Jim Foundation, Kimpact Development Initiative, Democratic Action Group (DAG), Women’s Rights to Education Programme, EDO CSOs, Young Innovators and Vocational Training Initiative (YVITI), New Initiative for Social Development (NISD). Other groups are Centre LSD, CISLAC, WARD-C, Proactive Gender Initiative (PGI), Enough is Enough Nigeria, WANGONET, JDPC, YIAGA Africa, Development Dynamics, Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), Stakeholder Democracy Network, Human Rights Monitor, Reclaim Naija, CITAD, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR,) Nigerian Women Trust Fund, The Albino Foundation, Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE), Electoral Hub etc
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Contact information:
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Email:situationroom@placng.org
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