Politics
2019 POLLS: Local observer group decries lapses in electoral process
The YIAGA Africa Watching The Vote (WTV) an observer group accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the elections has decried the do-or-die attitude of politicians which in some cases led to electoral violence.
In a report of their observations on the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections contained in a statement, YIAGA also expressed concerns on the immoral use of electoral guidelines on the collation of results.
In the statement issued by the Executive Director, YIAGA AFRICA, Samson Itodo, the observer group also cited cases of INEC officials instructing security agents to deny accredited observers access to results in collation centres.
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”The reports on non-compliance with electoral guidelines and procedures lapses in our electoral process could potentially undermine the integrity of elections. YIAGA AFRICA is concerned with the flagrant abuse of electoral guidelines on the collation of results in three states.
”In some cases, INEC officials instructed security agents to deny accredited observers access to results collation centres. This occurred in Ado LGA in Benue state, Osru LGA in Imo state, Rimi LGA in Katsina State and Yabo LGA in Sokoto state.
”Destruction of Democratic Institutions: YIAGA AFRICA is concerned with efforts by the political class to undermine democratic institutions like INEC and Nigeria Police.
“This do-or-die attitude of the political class where agencies of state like the Nigerian army are deployed to interfere with the electoral process despite legal limits to their involvement in the elections is unacceptable,” the statement by YIAGA read in part.
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