Situation Room says 2019 polls recorded 58 deaths, calls for independent inquiry

Election observer group, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, while giving its evaluation of the 2019 general elections has said 58 persons were killed during the polls.

The situation, which has been criticizing the conduct of the elections, also claimed vote-buying characterised the polls in Adamawa, Sokoto, Lagos, Delta, Enugu, Ekiti, Bauchi, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara, Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo, Kano and Osun states.

The Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and Convener (NCSSR), Clement Nwankwo, in a statement on Sunday demanded an independent inquiry into the exercise

While condemning the violence which resulted in bloodshed, especially in Rivers State, the situation recommends that the independent inquiry should address the role played by the military in the alleged abuse of the electoral process.

READ ALSO: EU observer mission delivers damning verdict on 2019 elections, calls for urgent electoral reform

Similarly, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) delivered a damning report on the 2019 elections.

Speaking specifically on the March 9 governorship and state assembly elections in the country, the EU EOM said the elections were marred by cases of violence that were targeted at election officials and voters.

The NCSSR said it was worried about the alleged involvement of soldiers in electoral fraud, particularly in Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Imo states.

The statement said, “Situation Room states unequivocally that elections are for citizens to democratically exercise their right to choose their government and as such, no election should cost lives. Situation Room notes with profound sadness the election-related violence that led to the death of 58 Nigerians, including Temitope Olatoye (aka Sugar) of Oyo State and Sunday Oroh in Enugu State on Saturday.

“Situation Room notes that in Rivers, Plateau and Edo states there were reports of denial of access to polling units by thugs. In the Ahoada LGA in Rivers State and Shendam LGA in Plateau State, journalists were kidnapped and later released.

“We are also concerned with the harassment and attacks on INEC officials. In Benue State, four polling officials and in Kogi State six polling officials were kidnapped.

“In Isoko North, Delta State, there were reports that corps members were beaten by hoodlums. In addition, election materials were burnt in different places like in the Ezza North LGA, Ebonyi State and Gwer East LGA in Benue State.

“Since 2011, elections in Rivers State have been a major theatre for violence and further escalated after the 2015 elections. From the February 23 presidential election till date, 28 Nigerians have died. The rivalry between the state leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress has been the source of this violence and attacks on the electoral process since 2015.”

The organisation also called on INEC to push for reforms in the electoral process.

It added, “Reports from across several states and some RECs point to an intimidating presence of military personnel who are unwilling to assist in providing security and safe delivery of electoral materials in locations and INEC completely helpless.”

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