By David Odama
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) perceivably and seemingly appears to have proven it can do it, by reassuring Nigerians through building confidence, living up to its promises in future elections.
The peaceful conduct of Anambra election so far, analysts say clearly demonstrate some extent of commitment, as well shown an indication that the empire is capable and prepared to give the nation acceptable elections.
Reports from accreditation to voting during the Anambra electoral process, and with the international observers indicating smooth operations and impressive voter turnout across several polling units has not only given the electoral empire a pass mark, but build some level of confidence in the future elections.
The Anambra governorship election, which is a litmus test for Prof Joash Amupitan, started and ended on a peaceful note, with impressive voter turnout and smooth accreditation processes across polling units and voting centres.
Strong security presence and inter-agency collaboration contributed to the peaceful atmosphere across the polling areas.
With about eight agencies involved, including the Police, Road Safety, and Civil Defence officers on ground, the environment was calm.
It would however be recommended that INEC, security agencies and other critical stakeholders in the electoral reforms should remain steadfast, enshrine reaffirming commitment to the principles of objectivity to make the nation’s electoral processes work and further instil discipline in the main actors, the (politicians)
For Observers, ranging from Dr. Emmanuel Nkweke of the International Association of World Peace Advocates, one of the international observer groups, to be quick to commend the electoral process and INEC’s performance, especially in the area of logistics, deployment of technology that functioned according to plan devoid of usual hitches such as machines malfunctions amongst other issues is a complete departure from other years of electoral processes.
The build-up to the election which was full of apprehensions, anxiety, fears of usual killings, fighting, ballot snatching observers say were dispelled showing that INEC and its agencies were thoroughly prepared for peaceful conduct of the election as well as doing things differently from the previous elections in Nigeria.
Seeing pregnant women, the elderly, and the handicapped queuing up to vote was an indication that people are well informed and eager to participate in the election.
Dr Emmanuel Nkweke of the International Association of World Peace Advocates, one of the international observer groups, added in a statement that both domestic and international observer groups present at the centres, including representatives from the European Union and members of the media were convinced that election in Anambra took a different narrative. Volume of security agencies counting about seven police officers in a polling unit, did not only contributed to no violence recorded.
Accreditation and the environment remained calm and secure. We expect that at the end of the exercise, the turnout will reflect the people’s mandate, those who have come out to cast their votes. It is very, very impressive so far,” Dr. Emmanuel Nkweke of the International Association of World Peace Advocates, one of the international observer groups, stated.
He further observed that at quarter past 11, voting and accreditation had continued peacefully. “We are just coming from some other wards and units. The election has been peaceful,” he added.
On allegations of vote buying he said: “As a matter of fact, as an international observer, we don’t report speculations. I have to report what we have seen. We have not noticed anything called vote buying, and if we notice such, we will definitely make noise about it.”
On INEC’s preparedness and efficiency, “As a matter of fact, we were with the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, none of the BVAS machines have been reported faulty apart from one incident, and the technical team was very fast to respond.
“The BVAS worked, according to expectation. We don’t know what is happening in other places, but we are reporting from where we have visited so far. From here, we are going to another polling unit. By the end of the day, we would be able to have an aggregate summary of the Anambra election. So far, we are satisfied with the process”, he concluded.
