Edo Election Full of Vote Buying - KDI
KDI Commends INEC For Early Arrival Of Voting Materials And security personnel for Adequate Security so far And Also Accused Politicians Of Vote Buying
Below is a full text of the press statement
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
21st September 2024
Kimpact Development Initiative,
Election Data Room,
Viewpoint Hotel & Suites, No1, Aiguobasimwin crescent,
off Ikpokpan road, GRA, Benin City, Edo State.
KIMPACT DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE’S (KDI’S) PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON THE EDO STATE OFF-CYCLE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS (SEPTEMBER 21, 2024)
Members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, we commend the dedication of Edo state citizens who have come out to exercise their civic duty amidst the palpable tension in the pre-election phase leading to this election. We also recognize the commitment of the National Youth Services Corp (NYSC) members and other Ad-hoc staff who continue to play a crucial role in upholding democracy in Nigeria.
This press statement aims to inform the public and key stakeholders about the key findings and observations of KDI regarding the election day processes, electoral violence, and potential for violence during the 2024 Edo off-cycle governorship elections.
ABOUT THE NIGERIA ELECTION VIOLENCE EDUCATION AND RESOLUTION PROJECT
KDI is a civil society organization implementing the Nigeria Election Violence Education and Resolution Project in the 2024 Edo state off-cycle governorship elections with the support of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). KDI established an Election Security Early Warning System (ESEWS) in the 18 LGA of Edo state assessing the pre-election environment to identify early warning – deploying 45 long-term security monitors towards gathering week in week out security information that feed into the ESEWS based on globally accepted indicators that have been tested in over 11 countries through the IFES/EVER methodology. Additionally, KDI, in the last 9 months, has been tracking and documenting issues of electoral violence and the potential for violence across the countries. KDI uses data-driven advocacy and bilateral engagements with election stakeholders, party leaders, socio-cultural leaders, security forces, and other civil society organisations to mitigate electoral violence. KDI in the early stage had identified electoral risk factors, early warning signals, potential causes and triggers of electoral violence so that stakeholders like INEC and security Agencies can deploy appropriate mitigation responses/strategies.
KDI ELECTION DAY DATA ROOM
For today’s election, KDI has set up an Election Day Data Room (EDDR) to gather and analyze real-time information from trained observers deployed across Edo State. Our goal is to document incidents of electoral violence and assess the overall electoral environment. KDI has also deployed 431 trained observers across the 18 local governments and the 192 wards in the state, who are sending live updates and evidence to our data analysts to verify and analyze accurately.
KEY OBSERVATIONS/FINDINGS:
The Data Room noted the relative adequacy in policing structure and professionalism in this ongoing election – so far, there has not been widespread breakdown of law and order- owing that the process had been relatively peaceful in the early hours of the day. We have also seen largely the enforcement of restriction of movement and roadblocks, but the officers were professional to allow movement of essential workers in most of the LGAs.
While we have also noted emerging issues like vote buying leading to voter and citizens being agitated, which is a potential for violence. KDI EDDR will continue to track this developing to know if such potential for violence had led to violence or not.
POTENTIAL FOR VIOLENCE.
1. Logistical Challenges for INEC Officials: Logistical issues continue to impact the electoral process. We noted delays in the deployment of INEC ad-hoc officials in some RACs to polling units, raising questions about what went wrong.
It was rightly observed in RACs, such as Agbado Primary School, Akpapava Road, Oredo LGA and Model Primary School, close to Stella Obasanjo Hospital Ikpoba Okha LGA that limited vehicles were available. Some of these vehicles were rickety and inadequate, forcing officials to be transported in multiple trips. By 9:30 am, some officials had still not left their RAC centers, which resulted in late commencement of poll in affected areas.
Addressing these questions is vital for ensuring a smoother electoral process in the future. These logistical gaps not only disrupt the election process but also create opportunities for misinformation, as anxious voters may wrongly assume that election materials or officials have been compromised. It is imperative that both INEC and NURTW collaborate effectively to prevent such disruptions and ensure a seamless election process.
2. Late Arrival of Election Materials: KDI field observers reported significant delays in the arrival of election materials and the commencement of voting at some polling units. Observations indicate that election officials arrived at polling stations between 8:30 am and 9:30 am, with voting commencing between 9:00 am and 10:30 am. While the late deployment of election officials and materials from RACs contributed to these delays, it was compounded by a heavy downpour, which further disrupted the process. In Esan West, Esan Southeast, and Owan West, heavy rainfall in the early hours of the day delayed both the arrival of INEC officials and the participation of voters, many of whom were forced to seek shelter from the rain. In riverine areas, crossing to polling units was also hindered by the adverse weather conditions, preventing timely access. Additionally, we observed that voting in Urhongbe South, Oriomwon Local Government Area, was further delayed due to the non-availability of result sheets, which prevented the polls from commencing on time. These logistical and weather-related challenges underscore the need for better contingency planning to ensure the timely start of elections, regardless of external factors
3. Security Concerns: Security personnel seemed to have a high presence in the state, assuring citizens of a peaceful process, these also includes the presence of NDLEA, the military, and the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). However, there was a lack of security personnel available to accompany INEC staff in Oredo, which raised concerns about the protection of ballot boxes. These are some of the instances that can lead to violence.
4. Weather-related transportation Issues: KDI field observers reported rainfall in some areas around Egor, Oredo, Igueben, Ovia Southeast, Uhunmwnde, Owan Esan Central, Esan Northeast, and Etsako Central. The weather hindered boat transportation to riverine areas and delayed INEC staff, further complicating the delivery of materials and delaying the opening of polling units. Recall that KDI’s pre-election security risk assessment report (ESRA) had brought to the attention of INEC of the probability of 4 – 5 hours of rain on election day.
5. Vote buying/selling: The political class in Nigeria continues to evolve strategies for vote buying a practice that has become increasingly prominent in the country’s elections. KDI’s Election Day Data Room received multiple reports of vote buying across all three senatorial districts in Edo State during the governorship election. In several local government areas, vote buying was more of systemic than open transactions – nevertheless, there were cases of open exchange of votes for cash and material goods, with sums ranging from N1,000 to N10,000. In some instances, voters were observed entering shops that appeared to be conducting regular business; however, the large number of voters visiting these shops suggested otherwise. Our observers also witnessed instances where party agents and voters engaged in electronic money transfers, further indicating the ongoing prevalence of vote buying during the election. This disturbing trend underscores the need for more stringent measures to curb vote buying and ensure the integrity of the electoral process. In Ikpo-okpha and Egor, the military and DSS were brought in to conduct investigations into the allegations of vote buying.
CONCLUSION
• KDI urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that due to the heavy downpour and some RACs that experience delay in movement to PUs to identify these areas and ensure all voter on the voting queue vote before closing the poll and ensure that all measures are in place in case voting entered into the night.
• We have call on security agencies to ensure that as we move into the second part of the process which will involve vote sorting and counting to remain professional and there discharge their duties without fear or favour
• We call on security agencies to critically investigate any forms of vote buying and selling, to further deter the likelihood of violence that could interrupt the free flow of voting. Ensuring that citizens can exercise their rights freely and fairly is paramount to the integrity of our democracy.
• We remain committed to advocating for a transparent electoral process and will continue to monitor developments as the day progresses.
CALL TO ACTION
• We urge all stakeholders, including INEC, political parties, security agencies, and the electorates to uphold the rule of law and ensure a peaceful atmosphere as the elections progresses.
• We urge security agencies to be on the lookout for traders of votes for possible caution and or arrest where necessary to uphold the integrity of the 2024 off-cycle Edo State Governorship Elections.
• We encourage media outlets to promote peace and verified information to counter misinformation that could incite violence.
Thank you for your attention.
Signed
Kimpact Development Initiative
