- Wants deployment of BVAS in future elections
From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Nigerian Human Rights Community, (NIHRCO), has commended the orderly conduct of the recently concluded Local Government election in Ekiti State.
It also hailed the state government and the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission(EKSIEC) for their efforts and the people of the state, particularly the voters for maintaining orderliness throughout the exercise.
NIHRCO, a coalition of 135 civil society and community based groups spread across the country, which monitored the election in the state, said the election of the 16 Local Governments and 22 Local Council Development Areas Chairmen and 177 Councillors, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) won all the seats, has once again demonstrated the quality of leadership in the state.
NIHRCO, in a statement signed by its Programme Officers, Fred Ojinika and Taiwo Adeleye, provided to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, said the last Saturday’s election conducted by the EKSIEC was peaceful, devoid of violence and rigging while the outcome represented the will of the voters.
The group which submitted that the December 2 election was not perfect, however, urged state governments in the country that are yet to conduct local government elections to do so, stressing that local government administration is essential to democracy and development.
It hinted that a comprehensive report on the election is being put together which will be distributed across democratic institutions at home and abroad on lessons learnt and the challenges.
“The Local Government election was not perfect, but it represented a remarkable achievement in building sustainable democratic culture in Nigeria.
“The group commended the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) for early arrival of materials and effective administration of the entire process that had almost zero hitches
“The group called on the National Assembly to create special intervention funds to assist State Independent Electoral Commission to meet democratic obligations in line with the fiscal support given by the Federal Government to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).
“The Ekiti Local Government election is a confirmation that states can run their own affairs even better in many respect than the central government. There was no single case of violence. The security was excellent. The materials arrived on time while the voters were orderly and cultured. There was no intimidation of voters while financial inducement was not witnessed by any of our observers.
“The turnout was above national average but not in line with global expectations. Monitors observed that the opposition parties were nonchalant towards the election adding that those interviewed argued that the leading opposition parties did not show keen interest in the election build up neither did they campaign during the run up to the Saturday election indicating that the opposition in the state has been weakened compared with the situation in the past.
“Ekiti needs more polling units given the growing population and the increasing number of new settlements observed during the election which were not hitherto covered either by INEC or SIEC.”
The group said monitoring local government elections is as important as observing national elections adding that there is always the need for a third party opinion so that the content of the elections and its impact on the future of democracy in Nigeria will be better appreciated.
‘At this time that Nigeria faces internal threats to democracy and growing concerns about public trust, it is important to deepen democracy and strengthen governance at the grassroots. This is exactly what has happened in Ekiti State.
“The National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission,(INEC) need to work with the State Independent Electoral Commission(SIEC) to ensure that Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, (BVAS) are deployed in local elections. National elections are as important as Local Government elections.”
The group said using BVAS for National Elections is good but that the same technology should be used in Local Government elections which may require special funds for SIECs to enable the institution develop the technology that will broaden popular participation, ensure real time transmission of results taking local government elections into a higher level.
NIHRCO said the election had its own strength, opportunities and shortcomings that should be addressed to deepen democracy and people’s representation at the grassroots.
The group commended the Governor of the State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, who had earlier embarked on a non-violence campaign across the state, using the extensive media space ahead of the local government election, it added that the deliberate policy of non-violence by state actors is essential for sustainable development.
NIHRCO said Nigerian should be encouraged to show interest in local government elections adding that if Nigeria gets it right at the local government level, it will be easier to conduct credible elections at the national level.