Edo election: Civil societies fault INEC over vote buying
- INEC's inability to curb vote-buying in the just concluded Edo election did not go unnoticed and has been criticised
- The criticism came from some civil society organisations
- Meanwhile, the organisations gave INEC thumbs up over its improvement as against past performances
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been faulted over its inability to curb vote buying during Edo governorship election.
This was disclosed by a coalition of over 60 civil society organisations, under the aegis of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSR).
“The incidence of vote buying during this election was high. It called for a more effective enforcement of election laws that prohibit vote buying and other election offences,” NCSR observed.
However, the group said INEC improved on its past performances.
Presenting the report in Abuja yesterday, NCSR convener Clement Nwankwo noted that “although INEC deserves commendation for ensuring an appreciable improvement in the conduct of election in the country, it needs to improve on its performance in subsequent elections.”
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“The administration of the Edo state governorship election appears to have been a marked improvement on recent previous governorship elections. INEC’s processes appeared to operate smoothly.
“Situation Room observed delay in the opening of polls in most polling units, although this did not affect voting thereafter. There was early deployment of materials and officials across several polling units in the state," he added.
Source: Original
Meanwhile, a coalition of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accredited domestic observers for Edo state governorship election have expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, noting that the election was free, credible, transparent and met international standards.
The domestic observer groups disclosed this at a press conference in Benin city on Monday, September 21.
Similarly, a foremost pro-democracy think tank, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) rated the conduct and outcome of the September 19 governorship election in Edo state as relatively credible, despite the challenges and infractions, which dogged the process.
CDD which deployed 250 stationary and roving observers to keep a close eye on key processes in the election, handed down its verdict in a final observation briefing held on Monday, September 21.
The Centre noted that the election was relatively peaceful when compared to other polls recently conducted by INEC.
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Source: Legit.ng
