Election observers in the Saturday’s governorship poll in Kogi States, on Sunday, demanded the cancellation of the election.

The group, which gave a damning report on the election, also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to undertake further probe of the various allegation of violence, malpractices, including cases of “community voting” in Bayelsa governorship poll with a view to reflect the genuine vote of the people.

The election observers, including foreign participants, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room), stated these in their preliminary report, titled: “Second Interim Report on the Observation of the Governorship Elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States,” in Abuja.

The Convener of the group and Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Mr Clement Nwankwo, warned that if nothing drastic was done, the level of violence in next governorship election in Edo State and the general elections in 2023 would be worse.

Nwanko, who commended INEC for improved deployment and use of card readers, expressed worry over the conduct of security personnel deployed and late arrival of voting materials in some areas in both states.

“The Situation Room is disappointed with the conduct of the two governorship elections that held in Kogi and Bayelsa States and worries that the elections fell below the standards expected for free and credible elections.

“With particular reference to the elections in Kogi State, the level of violence perpetrated by the two major political parties and politicians, evident sometimes in the collusion with security personnel, seriously undermined the elections, deterred voters and made the exercise a farce.

“Accordingly, the Situation Room is calling for the cancellation of the entirety of the Kogi State elections conducted on 16 November 2019.

“The Kogi State election represents a major dent to Nigeria’s democratic process.

“The governorship elections in Bayelsa State has also witnesses serious lapses, with high levels of violence perpetrated by political parties again in collusion with security personnel and reports of ‘community voting’ – a practice whereby political parties controlling particular areas compel overwhelming votes in favour of their party,” he said

“The Situation Room calls on INEC to fully interrogate the elections in Bayelsa State with a view to identifying the high incidences of malpractice that took place and reflect the genuine vote of the people,” he said.

The convener said in the light of the security failures, violence, thuggery and general abuse witnessed in the elections, he said the group called for an urgent passage and implementation of an Electoral Offences Commission law to address all issues related to electoral abuse.

“The levels of violence witnessed in the two state governorship elections are unprecedented, alarming and raises questions about the credibility of the elections.

“Nigerians had expected that lessons learnt from the 2019 general elections by stakeholders especially by political parties, the police and other security services would be taken to improve on the conduct of these elections.

“Unfortunately, this was not the case and both elections have proved to be a disappointment.

“The governorship elections conducted in Kogi and Bayelsa States represent a major setback for Nigeria’s electoral democracy.

“The commercialisation of Nigeria’s elections appears to have reached unprecedented heights.

“Political parties and their agents operated openly and with impunity distributing money in purchase of votes and it appeared that they were no efforts to stop them.

“Sums paid at polling units ranged from N500 to N6,000.

“The Situation Room received many reports of security surrounding the elections including lapses that had far-reaching consequences on the elections,” he said.

Nwankwo expressed disappointment in the conduct of the polls despite the number of security officers deployed.

He said: “The Nigerian police had stated before the elections that it was deploying 35, 200 police personnel to Kogi State and 31,041 police personnel to Bayelsa State.

“In addition, other security agencies deployed personnel for the elections including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Commission, Army, Navy and Air Force.

“The claimed overwhelming numbers of the deployment by security officials should ordinarily provide enough security for the elections.

“In spite of these, security gaps and lapses remained manifest throughout the elections in the two states.

“Security forces failed to provide details of names of its personnel that it deployed for the elections, raising questions about the claims on the numbers deployed.

“Situation Room received reports of security personnel standing by and watching incidents of ballot box snatching, violence and abuse of the electoral process.

“For instance, in Kogi State this was observed in Ajaokuta Local Government, Ganaja Ward; Dekina Local Government, Anyigba Ward, PUs 003,005, 009, 018, 025 and 026 and Ankpa Local Government, Agodo Ward, PU 006. 
“Whereas in Bayelsa State this was observed in Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government, Ward 1, PU 003 and Nembe Local Government Igbeta-Ewoama Ward, PU 002. In several polling units, police personnel who were unarmed were overwhelmed by political parties, thugs and supporters.

“These security personnel, as was the case in most instances, did not receive back up support from roving security personnel as planned.

“There were also reports of armed security personnel shooting, dispersing voters and carting away election materials and even destroying them.

“From various field reports, the following observations were made: There was low voter turnout of people with disabilities (PWDs) in both states.

“The issue of availability of electoral materials like braille, magnifying glasses and tactiles hindered participation of PWDs.

“For instance, in Kogi State, Anyigba Local Government, PU 001, 7 persons with albinism were told not to vote because of non-availability of magnifying glasses.

“This clearly indicates that electoral officers have less knowledge or awareness on INEC Guidelines for PWDs. 

“Open exploitation of PWDs by politicians who cash-in on the level of poverty of PWDs to buy their votes.”