Delta Guber election credible, Observer group insist

Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, (CSO’s) has adjudged the governorship and State House of Assembly elections in Delta State as peaceful and credible.

The group which focused on election observation in Delta State commended the electoral umpire for conducting a credible and acceptable Governorship and state assembly election in Delta State.

The group also commended security agencies and electorates for their courage and determination to vote for a credible candidate, despite some logistical challenges that characterized the process.

The group made this commendation after submitting its election observations report to the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking briefly in Abuja after the review with journalists, the convener of the coalition, Amb. Albert Ozuem said regardless of the outcomes, the electoral body has demonstrated the capacity to deliver on the confidence reposed in the institution by the Nigerian people, and in deepening the electoral process and the nation’s democracy.

“We commend INEC for the good job. Reports from across the state during the election were indeed commendable to the delight of Deltans, especially that citizens across the state were able to exercise their franchise peacefully, even in areas feared as flash points.

“Our people had reasons to jubilate at the end, as long as their wishes are expressed through the polls. We believe that INEC, the anti-corruption and security agencies have conducted themselves professionally and efficiently in safeguarding the process.

The group, however, frowned at violent acts by hoodlums in some part of the states where ballot snatching, monetary inducement and other vices characterised the elections.

“Reports that hoodlums and violent characters invaded polling stations to cart away Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, snatch ballot boxes, and delayed commencement of electoral materials in few places are worrisome, condemnable and portend threats to our democracy no matter how little.

“The success so far recorded through this widely commendable process must not be allowed to filter away by anti-democratic forces lurking in the dark to take advantage of inconsequential instances to derail our democracy.

“This is why we appeal to INEC, the anti-graft and security agencies to immediately commence the process to bring those apprehended for electoral offences to account without delay,” Ozuem added.

The group, Director of Election monitoring, Emmanuel Ebohjor who commended INEC for the introduction of BVAS, said it is the hope for Nigerians to search for elections that meet international standards.

According to Ebohjor, in many polling stations, based on the counsel of the CSOs, preference was given to pregnant women, people living with disabilities and the physically challenged,” adding that: “Even though preference for vulnerable people is not a framework in the country, Delta state has set the pace which should be emulated by others.”

Adding: “Despite the challenges of BVAS, the innovation is the best Nigeria has ever seen. It eliminates rigging and manipulations. What INEC needs to do is to improve on service delivery,” He said.

Ebohjor disclosed that observers were impressed by the pre-election peace-building and conflict-prevention efforts of the INEC and security agencies.