2023 Elections: Fresh Real-Time Data Scores INEC Low, Records 40 Critical Incidents Across 36 States

• More elections data continues to flow in as the ongoing 2023 general elections reach a fever pitch
• According to real-time data from Yiaga Africa, 40 critical incidents have been recorded so far at the ongoing polls
• The civil society organisation has therefore called on INEC to mitigate several shortcomings observed in polling units across the federation

FCT, Abuja - Real-time election data released by Yiaga Africa in its mid-day report reveals that it recorded 40 critical incidents gathered from its trained and accredited observers across the federation.

This development was made known by Yiaga Africa's Watching the Vote chairman, Dr Hussaini Abdu, at a press briefing held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja on Saturday, February 25.

According to Abdu, the Yiaga Africa's Watching the Vote observers recorded critical incidents in Ngor Okpala LGA of Imo state, where ad-hoc staff shortages were prevalent due to poor remuneration and fear of attacks, as most of the officials were corps members or students.

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Similarly, data from Lagos state says:

"Yiaga Africa WTV observer reported that at Gbagada Phase II /Bariga/Apelehin/Ogundero St./Onasanwo St. Junction I, the BVAS failed to authenticate both the facial or fingerprint of voters, which resulted in the process being temporarily suspended."

Yiaga Africa's recommendation

At the press briefing observed by Legit.ng's regional reporter, Abdu recommended that INEC increase its voting hours to allow eligible voters to exercise their civic duties stipulated by the law.

Abdu also called on INEC to investigate the reasons for the late deployment of election materials at the various polling units across the federation.

He said:

"Cases of breach of contractual obligations by transport workers should be met with sanctions.

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''INEC should implement its guidelines on cases where elections will hold the next day. Where the Commission reschedules election to the following day, it should publish the comprehensive list of affected polling units on its online and offline platforms timeously."

2023: Yiaga Africa’s Latest Pre-Election Report Reveals Critical Predictions for Presidential Polls

Meanwhile, an urgent redress to the continuous scarcity of the new naira note has been requested by the election observer group, Yiaga Africa.

Yiaga Africa's latest pre-election report predicts a possible low voter turnout if the trend persists.

Similarly, the election observer pinpointed a possible disenfranchisement of some eligible voters.

2023 Polls: Yiaga Africa Rolls Out 5 Solutions to INEC Over Lapses in Mock Accreditation Exercise

In another development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)'s readiness and reliability has been questioned.

The electoral body's recently concluded mock accreditation exercise raised concerns about its readiness to conduct the 2023 general elections.

However, the leading electoral observer group, Yiaga Africa, reeled out some recommendations for INEC to consider.

Source: Legit.ng