ANEEJ REPORT ON NIGERIA’S APRIL 2011 GENERAL ELECTION IN EDO AND EBONYI STATES
ANEEJ REPORT ON NIGERIA’S APRIL 2011 GENERAL ELECTION IN EDO AND EBONYI STATES
Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice
JUNE 2011.
ANEEJ REPORT ON
NIGERIA’S APRIL 2011 GENERAL ELECTION IN EDO AND EBONYI STATES
Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ)
INTRODUCTION
The cumulative effect of the shortcomings of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria’s 1999, 2003 and 2007 general elections dashed citizens’ confidence in the electoral process. This necessitated calls by stakeholders for a reform of the electoral process. Ignoring the serious flaws associated with Nigeria’s previous elections could derail the nation’s fragile democracy with grave consequences, including increased potential for conflict and political instability..
The last of such flawed election saw the emergence of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the president of Nigeria shortly after the failed attempt by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to elongate his tenure in office through the controversial “Third Term Agenda”. In his inaugural address, the then Nigerian president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua acknowledged shortcomings in the electoral process by openly declaring that the election was not perfect and the experiences represent an opportunity to learn from Nigeria’s mistakes. Accordingly, he promised to set up a panel to examine the entire electoral process with a view to ensuring that the quality and standard of our general elections is raised and enhance our democracy. Many Nigerians, including the International community applauded President Yar’Adua’s statement, but others remained skeptical, remembering failed promises of reforms after the 1999 and 2003 polls by former President Olusegun Abasanjo.
From that moment it became apparent that Nigerian government must translate its public statements on electoral reform into deeds, as soon as possible, to gain the trust and confidence of citizens and the international community. As part of fulfilling his promise, President Umaru Yar’Adua ensured that he did not use his good offices to interfere with all election cases at the various tribunals and at appeal stages in court as many of those whose mandate were stolen by electoral malpractices regained their mandates. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Olusegum Mimiko of Ondo State were among such persons. He also went on to constitute the Justice Mohammed Uwais- led Electoral Reform Committee.
It was equally obvious that to conduct a free, fair and credible election in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission needed to be re-organised as a result; everyone called for the removal of the then INEC chairman Prof. Maurice Iwu. In response to popular demands, few months to the expiration of his tenure, Prof. Iwu was asked to proceed on compulsory leave. His removal paved way for the appointment of a new and more credible Nigerian – the erstwhile National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and a onetime vice chancellor, Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Attahiru Jega to pilot the affairs of the commission.
The appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega as INEC chairman in July, 2010, marked the beginning of the restoration of confidence in the electoral body and again stirred up the interest of Nigerians in the electoral process. Prof. Jega’s antecedents speaks well of the man’s sincerity, uprightness and commitment, having served in various capacities in the past where he distinguished himself.
Soon, in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010, a fresh voters’ register was compiled between January 15 and February 7, 2011 to replace the highly controversial, mutilated and doctored version put in place by the previous INEC administration. Over 70,000,000 Nigerians were registered in the exercise. Even though the exercise was not without challenges, the new register was far better than the old one and INEC demonstrated a capacity for rapid response in dealing with some of those challenges. The process culminated in the publication of official voter’s register which was eventually used to conduct the April general elections.
INEC originally scheduled the National Assembly, Presidential, Governorship/State Assembly Elections for April 2nd, 9th and 16th respectively. The National Assembly election was however rescheduled for 9th of April, 2011, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to non availability of result sheets.
The political situation in Edo and Ebonyi states where ANEEJ deployed observers to is fairly stable. Edo is controlled by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which taunts a radical and progressive way of governance. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is, however, the ruling party at the national level of governance and clinched most of the seats at the National Assembly during the 2007 general elections. The change of leadership from Prof. O. Osunbor of the PDP to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of the ACN through the court led to many of the National Assembly members also decamping to ACN. The PDP is hoping to contend for votes with the incumbent Action Congress of Nigeria during the April 2011 Elections. In addition, the Local Government Council Executives have been dissolved in the state and a care taker committee is in place. Edo State Independent Electoral Commission has been constituted with the mandate to conduct elections at a yet to be determined date. To this end, various political parties have started jostling for command of the various local governments. Also, because of the manner former labour leader now elected governor, Adams Oshiomhole, regained his mandate after close to two years of court battle, Gubernatorial Election did not take place in Edo State this April 2011. However, National Assembly, Presidential and State Assembly elections all held and ANEEJ deployed observers to build confidence in the process.
Ebonyi State on the other hand is being governed by Governor Martin Elechi of the Ruling PDP. The state had witnessed series of violence characterized by robberies and kidnapping. But relative calm seems to have returned to the state. All three elections took place in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria and it was pertinent to train domestic observers in the state to have a sense of ownership of the electoral process as well as deploy them as election observers to also build confidence in the process.
ANEEJ PREPARATION AND DEPLOYMENT STRATEGIES
As part of the preparation to ensure proper observation and contribute to a free and fair 2011 general election in Nigeria, the formal approval for the implementation of the project was sealed on March 14, 2011, and preparation started immediately. The implementation was in 2 phases – Identification and training of potential observers, supervisors in Edo and Ebonyi States as well as one delivery agent to provide logistic support in Ebonyi State, preparatory activities with INEC for accreditation and production of observer’s kits. The second phase featured actual deployment of observers to observe the 2011 general election. A total of 60 domestic observers were trained and deployed to observe the 2011 general elections in addition to ANEEJ staff.
ANEEJ had series of engagement with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) both at the Commission’s Head Office and states offices in Edo and Ebonyi The purpose was to get the necessary information from the commission, seek accreditation as domestic observer group and thereafter obtain the relevant kits that will enable ANEEJ to deploy observers to observe the 2011 general elections. The effort paid off as ANEEJ eventually secured accreditation from INEC alongside other domestic and international observer groups/organizations.
Two ANEEJ staff, Innocent Edemhanria and Anicetus Atakpu who attended the National Democratic Institute’s ‘Train the Trainers’ Election Observation Training on February 18, 2011 in Calabar, Cross River State, stepped down the training for 30 participants on Monday March 28, 2011 at Vichi Gates Hotel and Suites, 68 Ihama Road, Benin City, Edo State and another 30 participants on Wednesday March 30, at Salt Spring Resort (Nanet Hotels Ltd), Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Cross Section of Participants @ the Training in Benin City
Cross Section of Participants @ the Training in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State.
Mr Innocent Edemhanria, ANEEJ Programme/Policy Officer facilitating one of the Training Sections in Benin City.
Mr. Anicetus Atakpu, ANEEJ M&E Officer Co-facilitator @ one of the training sections.
Participants were drawn from various civil society organisatons/faith based organizations, persons living with disabilities, International Federation of Women Lawyers, media and students.
The objective(s) of the training was to:
• Train participants on the role of election observers in the electoral process
• Train participants on the use of monitoring checklist, incidence report form and other materials.
The facilitators jointly took participants through eight (8) sessions which include.
• Session 1: Workshop Objective/ Participants Expectations/Ground Rules
• Session 2: Democratic Election and the Concept of Election Observation
• Session 3: Election Day Observation- Issues
• Section 4: Election Day Observation- Logistics
• Section 5: INEC Guidelines
• Section 6: Reporting What Was Observed On Election Day – Checklists
• Session 7: Reporting Incidents (National Election Incidents Centre, NEIC)
• Session 8: Rights, Duties and Code of Conduct for Domestic Election Observers
Collaboration with Media EU International Observer Group
There was increased awareness about election issues in the media as some media personnel were among the domestic observers hired by ANEEJ. ANEEJ also used the opportunity created by an existing media outreach programme on Independent Television, Benin City, to propagate messages relating to 2011 general elections. European Union had its observers covering major cities and communities and they often visited ANEEJ office in Benin to compare notes and share information before, during and after the elections. They were also at the training session in Benin City to observe the proceedings.
There was heavy media monitoring of the elections as well as media practitioners moved round polling units, INEC offices and centers following up with events as they unfold. ANEEJ equally worked with the media, briefing the media at intervals of its findings in the field. There were press conferences held in ANEEJ secretariat in Benin to share outcome of our field findings with members of the public at the end of each election.
EU Election Observers @ ANEEJ Office
Production of Identification Materials
The following identification materials were produced by ANEEJ for the trained domestic election observers:
• 60 Identification Cards
• 70 Jackets
• 70 Face Caps.
In addition, Ebonyi State INEC office in Abakaliki provided 30 INEC branded tags, 8 car stickers, 30 handbook, 30 files, 2 faz caps and a photocopied paper containing a list of collation centers in the state. Edo State INEC office in Benin provided 1 observer’s handbook and another handbook containing INEC office address nationwide, a copy of the legal framework guiding the elections, 8 car stickers as well as 1 INEC branded tag and directed that we should reproduce at our own expense for our observers in Edo State. Only the car sticker was available for April 2 election which was eventually rescheduled, the others were made available on April 8, 2011, in preparation for the rescheduled National Assembly elections.
In all, a total of 67 domestic observers (60 were recruited and 7 ANEEJ staff) were deployed to observe Nigeria’s National Assembly elections held on April 9th, Presidential election held on April 16th and the Governorship /State house of Assembly elections held on the April 26th, 2011 in Edo and Ebonyi States. The observers covered 12 Local Government Area spread cross the three senatorial districts in both States. The LGAs include: Edo State – Oredo, Egor, Esan South East, Esan North East, Etsako West and Owan East. Ebonyi State – Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ikwo, Ezza South, Izzi and Abakaliki. 5 observers were deployed to each local government area.
ANEEJ INTERIM REPORTS
a. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
Introduction
Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) deployed a total of 67 domestic observers to observe Nigeria’s National Assembly elections held on April 9, 2011, in Edo and Ebonyi States. The observers covered 12 Local Government Area, which include: Edo State – Oredo, Egor, Esan South East, Esan North East, Etsako West and Owan East. Ebonyi State – Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ikwo, Ezza South, Izzi and Abakaliki. The election earlier scheduled to take place April 2, 2011, was rescheduled by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to non availability of result sheets. This postponement generated political tension in Ebonyi state.
INEC Preparation
INEC made efforts to ensure that the late arrival of election materials which characterized previous elections in Nigeria did not occur. We observed that election materials were distributed to the various local government offices on the eve of election and INEC state offices in Benin and Abakaliki were devoid of the usual congestion by stakeholders on election morning.
The accreditation process for both domestic and international observers was open and transparent as well as devoid of any form of inducement as over 291 civil society groups were accredited for the exercise. On different occasions, INEC had meetings with civil society groups and other stakeholders to brief them on their preparedness. However, INEC performed poorly in the production and distribution of materials and kits to domestic observers. As at time of this report, some kits are still not ready.
Set Up
All the polling units within our coverage area where elections were scheduled to take place opened for election except Ameka ward 3 & 4 in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State where all the electoral materials were snatched at Gun points by suspected party thugs loyal to the PDP.
In Edo State, our observers reported that in Egor Local Government Area, materials arrived polling units between 8am and 9.30am while in Oredo local government area INEC officials were still giving material to at the adhoc officials at Agbado Primary School, along Akpakpava Road, thereby causing delays across the local government up till 10am in most polling units.
In most polling units in Ebonyi North, INEC officials and materials arrived polling units between the hours of 7:30am and 8:30am while Ebonyi South and Central recorded some bit of lateness as INEC officials and materials did not arrive until about 10:30am.
Turn out in most polling units was impressive and accreditation was also conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner in many areas. Polling officials followed laid down procedures and party agents were seen in all the polling units.
There were, however, isolated but serious cases of complaint by voters whose names were missing from the voter’s register. In unit 3 ward 5, Ikpoba Okha Local Government, over 40 eligible voters could not vote because their names were not found in the register. Also in one of the units at Asoro primary school, along Sakponba Road, Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, voting did not take place because only less than 10 voters name were in the register. The polling unit was closed down by INEC in response to requests from party agents, domestic observers and security agents. In one of the units at Anglican Girls Grammar School, GRA, Benin City, out of about 226 names in the register, less than 100 people found their names.
At Udoka Hall II, Izzi LGA, Ebonyi State, some of the voters’ names were not found in the register. Afikpo South, Egbebu Central School 008, Ebonyi State, some voters names were also missing. Such category of voters were not accredited and were also prevented from voting by polling officials, but were told to write down their names for correction in case of future election.
Voting
Voting commenced as scheduled in most polling units and “secrecy in voting” was complied with in some cases and thrown to the dust in other cases. For example in Uromi, Ewoyi Primary School, Idumughe PU10/003, Esan North East Local Government, Edo State, some voters were openly intimidated while attempting to tomb print by PDP agents who were telling voters to vote for their party. Voters generally conducted themselves in an orderly manner except in few places where our observers reported some level of rowdiness.
Our observer reported isolated cases where party agents attempted to disrupt the process and were also canvassing for votes in some centers. In Afuze, Institute of Physical Education, pu01/01 & 02, Owan East Local Government, Edo State, PDP agents were seen distributing envelopes containing unspecified amount of money to INEC staff and security agents. Party agents argued angrily among themselves in some units in Afuze creating a rowdy atmosphere. Security agents on duty swiftly intervened to put order in such units and voting continued. Generally, unregistered people and under- aged persons were not allowed to vote, just as most polling units made provisions for the blind and physically challenged persons to exercise their franchise.
Sorting and Counting Process
In almost all the polling units, sorting and counting were done publicly in the presence of party agents, security agent, observers and voters who were around. There was consensus among party agents before votes were invalidated during sorting and counting in most polling units covered by our observers. Results were properly entered into the result forms and signed by party agents and INEC Presiding officers. Copies of results were given to party and security agents while in some polling units, results were pasted on polling units at the end of counting.
Conduct of Security Agents
Our observers reported that in most polling units, security agents were orderly and peaceful. Police Officers, Soldiers, men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Officers and men of Nigeria Immigration Service and other security personnel were seen on duty to forestall any breakdown of law and order. Soldiers mounted security checks in major roads in Edo and Ebonyi while roving combined security operatives combed other major streets to ensure that enemies of democracy do not unleash terror on voters.
However, a huge number of eligible voters stayed away from voting with some feeling terrified with the heavy presence of security operatives on the streets of major cities and towns. This perhaps explains the relative poor outing of registered voters.
There were cases of arrest of 41 suspected party thugs in Afuze and Otuo in Edo State on April 2, day of botched National Assembly election re-scheduled for April 9, 2011. The manner of arrest, torture, publicizing, detention and transfer to Abuja of the suspects by the Army authorities fuelled fears of intimidation of the army against the Action Congress of Nigeria who accused the military of partisanship and working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Result Declaration
Results were publicly declared at polling stations and copies handed to security personnel present and party agents before sending same to the coalition centre.
However, in Ebonyi Central Senatorial district, there was speculations of rigging and manipulation of results and INEC ordered a recount.
In Ovia Federal Constituency, Edo State, INEC staff inflated the result of Ugbogui Ward in Ovia South West by adding a zero to 1000 to give PDP additional 9,000 votes up from 1000, but vigilant party agents traced and discovered the fraud and it was rectified after serious protests by vigilant ACN members. It was alleged that an unnamed PDP chieftain bribed the INEC returning officer with N5million to perpetrate the fraud. The affected INEC officials are currently helping the police in their investigations into the matter. The ugly incident delayed the announcement of the result for Ovia Federal Constituency and Edo South Senatorial district both clinched by the Action Congress of Nigeria candidates.
Critical Observations
• Our observers reported that there were few areas where the adhoc staff recruited by INEC displayed some level of incompetence, a situation that slowed down the voting process in some polling units.
• There were isolated but serious cases where voters could not find their names in the register.
• Isolated cases of harassment and intimidation of voters by party agents were recorded. As in Amanta Village Hall 003, Afikpo South Local Government, Ebonyi State and Uromi in Edo State.
• Cases where party agents openly canvassed for votes were reported.
• While voting was on in some areas, several young persons of voting age were seen playing football on the streets along major roads.
• Several voters displayed lack of knowledge about the voting process and party agents capitalized on the situation to influence votes for their party.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The overall assessment of the election shows that, there was significant improvement as compared to 1999, 2003 and 2007 elections in Nigeria. Despite few reports of hitches, such hitches did not affect the final outcome of the election. The outcome of the election is satisfactory and comparable only to that of June 12, 1993 elections adjudged to be the freest and fairest election in Nigerian democratic history.
We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Security Agents and other stakeholders for their roles in ensuring the success of the National Assembly election and urge them to sustain the tempo in case of Presidential, Governorship and State Assembly elections which is scheduled to take place April 16 and 26 respectively.
We recommend that:
• INEC should ensure timely release of all election materials to various polling units for accreditation to begin nationwide at the stipulated 8.00am.
• INEC needs to urgently address the case of eligible voters whose names are missing from INEC register before next election.
• Relevant stakeholders should devote more time and resources to civic education as some voters didn’t know the voting procedure, this was partly responsible for some voided votes.
• INEC should see how it can bridge the gap between the time of accreditation and actual voting time as some voters who were accredited left in the ignorant belief that they have voted. Besides, it eats too much into an hour as the elections could be conducted in less hours and same results achieved.
• Security agents need to embark on massive civic education to allay the fears of scores of eligible voters who chose to remain indoors on Election Day following heavy military presence in their communities. Security agents should make citizens understand clearly that their presence is to protect them while they go out to vote and not to be intimidated or militarize their communities to enable more voters turn out in subsequent polls.
• Those who were arrested for various electoral offences should be made to bear the full weight of the law and allegations of partisanship levelled against the army and other security agencies need to be thoroughly investigated, all those found wanting be brought to justice according to extant laws.
• Going by, almost 40 per cent voter turnout at the polls, there should be an independent, credible investigation into the voters register with a view to coming up with concrete recommendations that would help INEC prepare a more credible voter register nationwide.
b. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Introduction
The presidential election was an improvement over the National Assembly election held on April 9, 2011, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) overcame some of the challenges recorded during the National Assembly election. For instance, we observed that an addendum register was provided to take care of those who complained of missing names in the voters register and such persons voted this time. Few others who apparently did not show up during the National Assembly election still complained of missing names in the register. In Ikpoba Okha Ward 5 Unit 3, Oredo Ward 2 PU3/013 Anglican Girls Grammar School, PU03 and 05 Asoro Primary School, Sakponba Road was clear sign posts of INEC’s improvement.
Set Up
Our team of observers, who went round various polling units say all the polling units within ANEEJ coverage area where elections were scheduled to take place opened for election and accreditation started in many centres as early as 7:30am and in other areas there was delays. For example, at Igbeagu Ndigwe Ward, PU 014, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, accreditation started at 10:30am.
Some of the adhoc Staff used by INEC for National Assembly elections were redeployed to different locations. Turn out in most polling units was low initially but gradually improved as the election progressed and accreditation was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner in many areas. Polling officials followed laid down procedures and party agents were seen in all the polling units. Few instances of distortion of accreditation process were however recorded. For instance, in Ameka, ward 3 in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, thugs removed ten booklets of ballot papers at gun point and engaged in ballot stuffing. This incedent resulted in most voters in Ameka ward not voting during the Presidential Election.
Voting
Voting commenced as scheduled in many polling units in an orderly manner and “secrecy in voting” was complied with in most cases. In almost all the polling units, sorting and counting were done publicly in the presence of party agents, security agent, observers and voters who were around at INEC stipulated 1:30pm. There was consensus among party agents before votes were invalidated during sorting and counting in most polling units covered by our observers. Only one of our observer deployed to Okpuje Primary School, PU 04, in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government, Edo State, reported that 2 votes were wrongly invalidated.
However, the election did not go without malpractices in some areas and certain critical incidences which do not fundamentally undermine the process in Edo States were observed. The same cannot be said for Ebonyi State. Cases of violence, intimidation, harassment, ballot box snatching, multiple voting, under aged voting, gun shots, financial inducement of voters and hijacking of result sheets were recorded in Ebonyi State.
In Uromi Girls Primary School, ward 5 PU 08, Esan North East LGA, Edo State, INEC officials compromised by allowing some voters to vote several times and the INEC officials also joined some persons to thumb print several ballot papers for PDP.
At Ewoyi Primary School, PU004, Ward 10, Esan North East Local Government, Edo State, some under aged voters were caught by security agents but the crowed prevented them from taking the under aged voters away and they were allowed to vote.
Also in Ubiaja, Sacred Hart Demonstration Primary School, ward 6, PU10, Esan South East Local Government, Edo State, vote buying and multiple voting took place and on arrival of men of State Security Service, the perpetrators dispersed.
In Auchi, Aigbotse Igbe Primary School, PU03/06, Etsako West Local Government, Edo State, a female voter approached the presiding officer to give her ballot paper to take home. According to her, some persons at home wanted to vote, but the presiding officer rebuffed her approach.
Counting Process
The Counting generally was done in an open and transparently manner. In almost all the polling units, sorting and counting were publicly done in an open and transparently manner and in the presence of party agents, security agent, observers and voters who were around. There was consensus among party agents before votes were invalidated during sorting and counting in most polling units covered by our observers. Only one of our observer deployed to Okpuje Primary School, PU 04, in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government, Edo State, reported that 2 votes were wrongly invalidated.
Result Declaration
The results were openly declared before the voters who were able to wait behind to protect their votes before the results were announced at the polling units. Results were also properly entered into the result sheets and signed by party agents and INEC Presiding officers. Copies of results were given to party and security agents while in some polling units, results were pasted on polling units at the end of counting.
Conduct of Security Agents
Our observers reported that in most polling units, security agents were orderly and peaceful. Police Officers, Soldiers, men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Officers and men of Nigeria Immigration Service and other security personnel were seen on duty to forestall any breakdown of law and order. Soldiers and Police mounted security checks in major roads in Edo and Ebonyi while roving combined security operatives combed other major streets.
However, an ugly incident was reported by our observers in Amaekoli, Egba Central School 1, PU 007 & 008, Afikpo South LGA, Ebonyi State, where ANEEJ domestic observer, Mr. Ofor Chukwuma was whisked away by a combined team of police men and army officers drafted to the polling unit at about 12.00 noon, for refusing to accept bribe from the PDP State chairman and his supporters who had accosted him to accept some unspecified sums of money and also for taking pictures/recording of their activities. He was later released at 7pm after counting of votes and suspected stuffing of ballot boxes. The memory card of his phone was destroyed by his captors. The observer was earlier offered money by PDP party agents present at the polling unit but he refused the inducement.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The overall assessment of the election shows that, there was significant improvement in the conduct of presidential election as compared to the National Assembly election. We again commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), International Observers, Security Agents and other stakeholders for their roles in the success of presidential election and urge them to sustain the tempo and improve on noticed lapses especially in Ebonyi State in case of Governorship and State Assembly elections and indeed future elections.
We call on Police and Army authorities to investigate and bring all their personnel attached to the affected units to justice to serve as deterrent to others.
All politicians should play by the rules. The desperation by some politicians to engage in multiple voting and tinker with election figures in areas where their candidates were already deemed popular is uncalled for, as their actions tended to undermine the credibility of results from those states.
There is need for political parties, National Orientation Agency, INEC as well as other stakeholders to embark on civic education.
All those apprehended for various electoral offences should prosecuted and if found guilty, appropriate punishment melted out to such persons.
c. GOVERNORSHIP AND STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
Introduction
Only State Assembly elections held in Edo State while both governorship and State Assembly election held in Ebonyi States. The election was relatively calm in Edo State except in two polling units within Igueben Constituency – Idumu-Omu Polling Station, unit 001 in Owu/Okuta/Eguare-Ebele Ward 06, and Obodoko Polling Station Unit 003 in Amahor/Ugun Ward 08 (though not within ANEEJ coverage area) which witnessed disruption of voting resulting in INEC ordering a repeat of election at the affected area. Ebonyi State witnessed increased cases of irregularities as our observers reported several case of vote buying and intimidation of voters and INEC adhoc staff buy suspected thugs as some of the National Youth Corps members who knew ANEEJ observers sent text messages to notify them of the situation. INEC also contributed to the ineffective function of the adhoc staff especially in Ebonyi State as they made provision to transport them to the polling unit but did not make provision for their return, and some top politicians took advantage of the situation to perpetrate electoral fraud.
Set Up
Our team of observers, who were at various polling units, say all the polling units within ANEEJ coverage area where elections were scheduled to take place opened for election. There was further improvement in the arrival of personnel and materials to polling units in many of the places observed and accreditation also started on schedule in many centers. There was, however, an initial shortage of personnel in few areas like Junction Primary School, Igbeagu Ward along Izzi Road, PU 006, Izzi Local Government Area and Onueke Urban, Onike Market Square, PU 002, Ezza South Local Government Area both in Ebonyi State. This was later rectified by INEC.
Turn out in most polling units was low. For instance at Usogun Primary School along Warake Road, Auchi, PU 005, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, out of 1074 registered voters only 281 voted. Also at Ogbonmwan Group of Schools along Upper Ekenwan Road, Benin City, PU 017, Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, out of 1234 registered voters, only 208 voted. At Agbado Primary School along Akpakpava Road, Benin City, PU 021, Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, out of 648 registered voters, only 82 actually voted. This low turnout of eligible voters was witnessed in several other areas. The reason for the low turnout in most areas was because most voters in Edo State did not know the candidates aspiring to represent them at the state house of assembly. Some voters only knew the party and their leaders in some cases.
However, turn out gradually improved in some areas as the election progressed. Notwithstanding, our observers reported that there was less than 50% turn out in most of the polling units within our coverage area. But accreditation was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner in many areas. Polling officials followed laid down procedures and party agents were seen in all the polling units.
We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the sustained improvement in logistics that was recorded during presidential election as election materials and personnel arrived early in almost all the polling units within our coverage area except in isolated cases reported in Ebonyi State where shortage of personnel were reported.
Voting
Voting commenced as scheduled in many polling units and “secrecy in voting” was complied with in most cases, while in other cases “secrecy in voting” was not complied with. This resulted in hot argument and confusion at Agbado Primary School along Akpakpava Road, PU 026. Party agents capitalized on the situation to influence votes for their party. Security agents came in to calm the situation.
Our observer reported that in Ameka Ward 04, PU 04, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, voting was not conducted in orderly manner. INEC officials also sold some of the ballot papers {booklets} to PDP party agents to thumb print and brought them back to stuff into the ballot boxes before the eyes of the security personnel that were deployed to the area.
At Mgbo Play Ground, PU 014, Afikpo in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, there was no voters register and no personnel, but voting was going on as they were using improvised writing sheet to write people’s name.
Also at Ndi Ibom Village Square, Amiri, PU 009, Afikpo South Local Government area, INEC adhoc staff compromised by increasing the number of accredited voters and some voters voted several times. Also at Ekoli Ndi Ibom Amata, PU 003, Afikpo South Local Government of Ebonyi State, INEC Staff were seriously harassed by party agents who were openly canvassing for votes. Under aged voters were also seen on queue.
In Oghenyen Primary School, Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area, Edo State, some party chieftains were openly canvassing for votes while voting was in progress, limiting voters’ rights, violation of voting procedure also took place there as under aged voters were seen voting. Under aged voters were also seen by our observer voting at Orhuen Primary School, beside St. Benedit Catholic Church, Ubiaja.
Counting Process
In almost all the polling units, sorting and counting were done publicly in the presence of party agents, security agents, observers and voters who were around. There was consensus among party agents before votes were invalidated during sorting and counting in most polling units covered by our observers. Results were properly entered into the result sheets and signed by party agents and INEC Presiding officers. Copies of results were given to party and security agents except at polling Station CSS 001 Amuzu ward in Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State where party agents were not given the signed results sheets. Two of our observers brought back result sheets. In most polling units, results were pasted on polling units at the end of counting.
Conduct of Security Agents
Security agents were on ground to forestall any breakdown of law and order as cases were reported where some party agents and voters attempted to disrupt voting process, but accredited agents swiftly responded to calm the situation. At Garrick Memorial Primary School along Ekenwan Road, Benin City, some thugs attempted to disrupt voting process but were rebuffed by some soldiers stationed near the polling unit. Security agents also conducted themselves properly except in Ezza South Ward 04, Ameka polling Unit 04, Ebonyi State, where they were disorderly.
However, some of our observers in Ebonyi State reported improper conduct of security agents in the some areas.
Conclusion and Recommendation
In Conclusion, the overall assessment of the election shows that, the outcome is relatively free and fair in spite of isolated cases of irregularities that were reported at some polling units. Such irregularities did not substantially affect the final result of the election even though the Presidential election was better. We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), International Observers, domestic observers, Security Agents and other stakeholders for their role in the success of Governorship and State Assembly Election and urge them to sustain the tempo and improve on noticed lapses in future elections. Increased cases of irregularities were reported especially in Ebonyi State which detracted from the successes recorded in the National Assembly and Presidential Elections.
For future elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should ensure effective and efficient partnership with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) so as to get a fair independent assessment of the entire process.
Also, there were complains about large section of students not having the opportunity to vote as most of the higher institutions were closed during election. For future election consideration should be given to where students will be during elections and should be allowed to register in such places.
Allegation of misconduct by security agents and all those arrested for various electoral frauds should be investigated and where such persons are found guilty, they should be made to bear the full weight of the law.
ANALYSIS OF CHECKLIST FROM OBSERVERS
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
Analysis of the checklist from the observers shows that staff and materials arrived early (8am) only in 18% of observed polling units while 82% of our observes reported late arrival of staff and materials as arrival time ranged from 8:15am to 10:15am. There were no serious complains and report of inadequacy of electoral materials as 77% of our observers reported that materials were adequate. 69.4% of the observed polling units had at least 3 personnel per polling unit while 30.6% had less than 3 personnel per polling unit. On the average, it was observed in the polling units covered that an average of 3 personnel was seen at each polling unit.
Presence of security personnel
Security agents were seen as they were on ground to forestall any breakdown of law and order as cases were reported where some party agents and voters attempted to disrupt voting process, but accredited agents swiftly responded to calm the situation. On the average, a minimum of 2 security personnel was noticed at each polling units.
Commencement of Accreditation, Voting and Counting
All the polling units within our coverage area where elections were scheduled to take place opened for election except Ameka ward 3 & 4 in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State where all the electoral materials were snatched at Gun point- by suspected party thugs.
In most polling units in Ebonyi North, INEC officials and materials arrived polling units between the hours of 7:30am and 8:30am while Ebonyi South and Central recorded some bit of lateness as INEC officials and materials did not arrive until about 10:30am.
On the average, accreditation commenced between 8:15am to 10:15am. Voting started immediately after accreditations as stipulated by INEC while counting was conducted publicly before party agents, voters, observers and security personnel.
Analysis of turnout:
Though, turn out in most polling units was impressive and accreditation was also conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner in many areas, on the whole, average voters’ turnout during the national assembly elections was generally low. From our observers checklist, only 33.7% of registered voters within our coverage area voted during the election.
Set up processes
All the polling units within our coverage area where elections were scheduled to take place opened for election except in Ameka ward 3 & 4 as presented during the interim report.
On the average, accreditation commenced between 8:15am to 10:15am and on a general note, INEC officials exhibited some level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties as they followed laid down procedures. However, in most polling units, ballot papers were not counted during setup as about 37% of the polling units observed did not count ballot papers during set up which is contrary to INEC guidelines.
In all the polling units observed, party agents were physically present just as about 87% of our observers reported that secrecy was provided for in the polling units. There was violence in some polling units as noticed in Ameka ward 3 & 4 in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, but on a general note, about 87% of the polling units observed did not experience any form of violence or intimidation and voters were properly accredited.
However, there were isolated but serious cases of complains by voters whose names were missing from the voter’s register. In unit 3 ward 5, Ikpoba Okha Local Government, over 40 eligible voters could not vote because their names were not found in the register. Also in one of the units at Asoro primary school, along Sakponba Road, Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, voting did not take place because only less than 10 voters name were in the register. The polling unit was closed down by INEC in response to requests from party agents, domestic observers and security agents. In one of the units at Anglican Girls Grammar School, GRA, Benin City, out of about 226 names in the register, less than 100 people found their names.
These voters with missing names were not accredited and were also prevented from voting by polling officials, but were told to write down their names for correction in case of future election.
About 87% of observed polling units were orderly and quiet and there were few incidences of vote buying as 14% of the observed polling units reported cases where some party faithful distributed various amount of money at polling units.
Voting Process
Voting commenced as scheduled in most polling units immediately after accreditations and about 87% of our observers reported that secrecy was complied with in the observed polling units and that voters and polling officials were not intimidated while voting. Election officials did not interfere with the voting process and the process was not disrupted by any unauthorized people or group. Unregistered and underage persons were not allowed to vote. However, 32% of the observed polling units did not make arrangements for the blind and physically challenged person to vote. In all, there was substantial compliance with the electoral act as regard voting process.
Counting Process
Analysis of observers’ checklist shows that counting of ballot papers started with sorting in most polling centre immediately after voting. About 34% of observed polling units started sorting and counting on or before 3pm while others started from 4pm. All the observers except 1 reported that ballot papers were counting in public and party agents as well as security agent and some voters who waited behind were present during counting. 67.7% of our observers reported that ballot papers were not wrongly invalidated while 32.3% reported that papers were wrongly invalidated.
88.7% of observers reported that results were publicly announced at the polling units and properly entered into the result forms while only 11.3% of observers reported otherwise. 90% of observers reported that result declared were not more that voters in the register, only 1 observer reported otherwise while checklist were blank. Almost all the observers reported that results were properly recorded in official forms but not all party agents signed the result sheets and party agents were given copies of the result sheet which was also pasted at the polling booths.
On the whole, there was substantial compliance with the election guidelines.
Conduct of Security Personnel
83.9% of observers reported that security agents conducted themselves properly at polling stations and did not interfere with election process, which suggest that the overall behaviour of security agents was in compliance with election guidelines. Police Officers, Soldiers, men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Officers and men of Nigeria Immigration Service and other security personnel were seen on duty to forestall any breakdown of law and order. Soldiers mounted security checks in major roads in Edo and Ebonyi while roving combined security operatives combed other major streets to ensure that enemies of democracy do not unleash terror on voters.
Declaration of Results
Analysis of the checklist shows that the PDP won in majority of the polling units in Ebonyi State while the Action Congress of Nigeria won in majority of the polling units in Edo State. Specifically, for House of Representatives in Edo State, A CN won 7 seats while PDP won 2 seats. In Ebonyi State, PDP won 5 seats while ANPP won 1 seat. For the senatorial election in Edo State A CN won 2 seat while PDP won 1. In Ebonyi, PDP won all the 3 Senatorial seats.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Deployment of Staff and Materials
Analysis of observers check list shows that staff and materials arrived early (8am) only in 66% of the polling units, while 34% of observed polling units witnessed late arrival of staff and materials, arrival time ranged from 8:16am to 10:30am. On the aspect of the adequacy of materials during the election, there was marked improvement over the National Assembly election as 93.3% polling units had adequate materials, while only one of our observers reported a case of materials not been adequate. 5% of our observers were however indifferent as they left their checklist blank.
Adequacy of Election Personnel
In terms of human capital, it was observed throughout our catchment area that INEC was really prepared for the Presidential election. This is on the grounds that over 88.3% of the observed polling units had 3 or more election personnel, while about 11.7% of the polling units observed did not have up to 3 election personnel. Of these 11.7%, almost all had only 2 polling agents. On the average, it was noted in the polling units observed that an average of three (3) election personnel was seen in each polling unit.
Presence of Security Personnel
On the day of Presidential elections, our observers reported that all the polling units observed had security agents. They also observed that the security personnel were orderly and peaceful. On the average, a minimum of 4 security personnel was noticed at each polling units. This to a large extent is encouraging and should be built on.
Commencement of Accreditation, Voting and Counting
According to the checklist from our team of observers, all the polling units within ANEEJ coverage area where the Presidential election was scheduled to take place opened for election and accreditation started in some centres as early as 7:30am and others, between 8am and 9am except in few polling units like Igbeagu Ndigwe Ward, PU 014, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State where accreditation started at 10:30am.
Voting commenced as scheduled in many polling units. About 80% of the polling units complied with “secrecy in voting”, while in other cases “secrecy in voting” was not complied with. In almost all the polling units, sorting and counting were done publicly in the presence of party agents, security agents, observers and voters who took time to wait behind to protect their votes.
Analysis of turnout:
The turnout of eligible voters during the presidential elections could be seen as an improvement compared to that of the National Assembly election as 37.3% of registered voters came out to cast their votes in the polling units observed by our esteemed observers. On the other hand however, the outcome is still low compared to the number of registered voters in the polling units.
Set up processes
According to the checklist from our team of observers, all the polling units within ANEEJ coverage area where the Presidential election was scheduled to take place opened for election and accreditation started in some centres as early as 7:30am and others, between 8am and 9am except in few polling units like Igbeagu Ndigwe Ward, PU 014, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State where accreditation started at 10:30am.
INEC staff and materials arrived early (8am) only in 66% of the polling units observed during the presidential election, while 34% of observers did not arrive early. Arrival time ranged from 8:16am to 10:30am.
During the Presidential election, there seem to be an improvement over the National Assembly election in the area of electoral materials as 93.3% polling units had adequate materials, while only one of our observers reported a case of materials not been adequate. 5% of our observers were however indifferent as they did not answer the question.
However, 70% of the polling units observed counted ballot papers during set up on the day of the Presidential election, while 23% of our catchment observed area did not count ballot papers during set up. 7% of our observers were indifferent on the issue.
About 80% of the polling units provided for “secrecy in voting” while 88% of ANEEJ observers reported that there was no form of violence or intimidation of any kind in their polling units. Voters were properly accredited even as all those with voter’s card were accredited even as there was orderliness in almost all the polling units. 96% of observed polling units were orderly and quite.
However, there were few incidences of vote buying as 10% of the observed polling units had cases where some party faithful distributed various amount of money at polling units. It was not immediately possible to get the details of who gave and who received from our observers.
Voting Process
Voting commenced as scheduled in many polling units immediately after accreditation. 90% of observed polling units conducted voting in an orderly manner while there was rowdiness in 10% of the observed polling units. About 80% of the polling units complied with “secrecy in voting”, while in other cases “secrecy in voting” was not complied with. 87% of ANEEJ observers reported that voters and polling officials were not intimidated and that polling officials did not interfere with voting process.
On the issue of disruption of voting, 95% of observed polling units had no such cases just as there was no incident of unauthorized persons taking away ballot boxes. Unregistered persons were not allowed to vote in about 97% of the observed polling units. Underage persons were also not allowed to vote.
However, only 58% of the observed polling units made provision for the blind and physically challenged persons to vote.
Counting Process
Analysis of observers’ checklist shows that counting of ballot papers started with sorting in most polling centres immediately after voting. 70% of observed polling units started sorting on or before 3pm while others started from 4pm. In almost all the polling units, sorting and counting were done publicly in the presence of party agents, security agents, observers and voters who took time to wait behind to protect their votes.
93% of the polling units observed publicly declared results. 91% of ANEEJ observers reported that results were properly recorded on official forms but not all agents signed the result forms as about 27 party agents at different polling units did not sign the result sheet.
87% of ANEEJ observers reported that results were posted at polling units while 8% were indifferent as they did not record anything. This also indicated substantial compliance with the relevant guidelines.
Conduct of Security Personnel
Security personnel conducted themselves in a most professional manner as noted in all the observed polling units. In over 87% of the observed polling units, the security personnel there were seen helping in controlling crowd and never interrupted with the voting process.
However, during the Presidential election, an ugly incident was reported by our observer in Amaekoli, Egba Central School 1, PU 007 & 008, Afikpo South LGA, Ebonyi State, where ANEEJ domestic observer, Mr. Ofor Chukwuma was whisked away by a combined team of police men and army officers drafted to the polling unit at about 12.00 noon, for refusing to accept bribe from the PDP State chairman and his supporters who had offered him some unspecified sums of money for him to occasionally walk away from the polling to allow them opportunity to do whatever they wanted. They also discovered that had recorded the conversation and taken some pictures of them. He was later released at 7pm after counting of votes and suspected stuffing of ballot boxes. The memory card of his phone was destroyed by his captors. The observer was earlier offered money by PDP party agents present at the polling unit but he refused the inducement.
Declaration of Result
Our observers reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in almost all the polling units where they covered. Specifically, In Ebonyi State, PDP scored 95.57% of the total votes cast while ANPP got 2.84%. In Edo State, PDP get 87.28% of the total votes cast while A CN got 8.73% and CPC got 2.86%.
GOVERNORSHIP/ STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ELECTION
The deployment of Staff and materials
Analysis of observers check list shows that staff and materials arrived early (8am) only in 53% of the polling units observed during the governorship/state house of assembly election, while in 47% of observed polling units staff and materials did not arrive early and arrival time ranged from 8:16am to 10:30am. This shows that logistics arrangement for the presidential election was better than what was obtainable during the Governorship/State Assembly elections.
Adequacy of materials
On the aspect of the adequacy of materials, on the day of governorship/State House of Assembly elections, 92% of the polling units observed had adequate materials. While 7% of the observers were indifferent as they did not tick the question. 1% of the observed polling unit did not have adequate materials.
Relatively however, there was a high level of availability of materials compared to past elections in the country.
Adequacy of Election Personnel
In terms of human capital, it was observed that throughout our catchment area that INEC was really prepared for the elections. Members of the National Youth Service Corps whom the Commission engaged to handle the elections at the polling stations level were better trained than previous elections.86.4% polling units had 3 or more election officials during the governorship/state assembly elections.
However, on the average, all polling units observed had 2-3 polling agents.
Presence of security personnel
Our observers reported that in most polling units, security agents were orderly and peaceful. On the average, a minimum of 3 security operatives were noticed at each polling unit during the governorship/state house of assembly elections. Combined teams of security agents were seen in major streets to enforce the no movement order.
Commencement of Accreditation, Voting and Counting
According to the checklist from our team of observers, 53% of the polling units observed during the governorship/state house of assembly election started accreditation between 7am and 8:15am. Voting started immediately after accreditation while counting started with sorting. In almost all the polling units, sorting and counting were done publicly in the presence of party agents, security agents, observers and voters who were around. There was consensus among party agents before votes were invalidated during sorting and counting in most polling units covered by our observers.
Analysis of Turnout
From our observers’ checklists, the outcome of the Governorship/ State Houses of Assembly election was very low as only a total of 37.7% of the registered persons voted for their candidates of choice. Some of the polling units were devoid of the usual activities as few INEC ad-hoc staff were seen resting their head on the table while waiting for voters.
INEC adhoc staff and party agents waiting for voters during State Assembly election @ Asoro Primary School, Oredo LGA in Edo State.
While waiting for the electorate @ Asoro Primary School, Oredo LGA, Edo State
Relatively, the percentage of persons that voted during the just concluded general elections is greatly minimal compared to the number of registered persons. The gap needs to be checked in subsequent elections and in doing this; there is need for political parties, National Orientation Agency, INEC as well as other stakeholders to embark on civic education.
Set-up Processes
With analysis of our observers’ checklist, all the polling units within our coverage area where elections were scheduled to take place for the governorship/ state house of assembly, opened for election and on a general note, INEC officials exhibited some level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Election officials and materials arrived early (8am) in 53% of the polling units observed during the governorship/state house of assembly election, while 47% of observed polling units did not arrive early. Arrival time ranged from 8:16am to 10:30am.
95% of the observed polling units followed set up procedures while 92% had adequate materials. Though, 7% of ANEEJ observers were indifferent as they did not tick any column.
On the issue of counting of ballot papers during set up, only 58% of the observed polling units counted ballot papers during set up. Others either did not count or the observer did not take note. Also, 95% of the observed polling units showed ballot boxes to be empty and then sealed during set up with party agents present in all the observed polling units.
About 83% of the polling units provided for “secrecy in voting” and also had no form of violence or intimidation of any kind in their polling units. Voters were properly accredited even as all those with voter’s card were accredited even as there was orderliness in almost all e polling units. 92% of observed polling units were orderly and quite.
However, vote buying or bribery was observed in 17% of the polling units observed during the governorship/state house of assembly elections. The template of form used did not provide for tracking of who gave and who received.
Voting Process
Voting commenced as scheduled in many polling units immediately after accreditation. 86% of observed polling units conducted voting in an orderly manner while there were rowdiness in 10% of the observed polling units. 4% of the observers were indifferent. About 73% of the polling units complied with “secrecy in voting”, while in other cases “secrecy in voting” was not complied with. 86% of ANEEJ observers reported that voters and polling officials were not intimidated and that polling officials did not interfere with voting process.
On the issue of disruption of voting, 83% of observed polling units had no such cases just as there was no incident of unauthorized persons taking away ballot boxes. Unregistered persons were not allowed to vote in about 93% of the observed polling units. Underage persons were also not allowed to vote.
However, only 54% of the observed polling units made provision for the blind and physically challenged persons to vote.
Counting Process
Analysis of observers’ checklist shows that counting of ballot papers started with sorting in most polling centres immediately after voting. 49% of observed polling units started sorting on or before 3pm while others started from 4pm. In almost all the polling units, sorting and counting were done publicly in the presence of party agents, security agent, observers and voters who took time to wait behind to protect their votes. There was consensus among party agents before votes were invalidated during sorting and counting in most polling units covered by our observers.
85% of the polling units observed publicly declared results, while 15% of ANEEJ observers reported that results declared were indifferent as they did not take record. 86% of ANEEJ observers reported that results were properly recorded on official forms but not all agents signed the result forms as about 4 different party agents did not sign the result forms.
78% of ANEEJ observers recorded that results were posted at polling units while 14% were indifferent as they did not record anything. As for the transmission of result to collation centres, ANEEJ observers could not be sure of it as most of them were not privileged to be at the collation centres.
Conduct of Security Personnel
Security personnel conducted themselves properly in over 73% of the polling units observed, while 10% of ANEEJ observers reported cases of misconduct of security agents. For instance, our observers in Ebonyi State reported improper conduct of security agents in the following areas – Amaugballa Play Ground, PU 002, Afikpo, Afikpo North Local Government, Ebonyi State, where both security agents, PDP Agents, notable party members including commissioner for Education, Chief H. Ikpor, Godwin Uhere, PDP Chairman Ohaisu Ward B and INEC Adhoc staff, conspired to influence votes for PDP and made several attempts to frustrate our observer from observing the election in the polling unit. Incidents of Intimidation, limiting access to polling centre, vote buying, ballot box stuffing and multiple voting were also observed at the polling unit and party chieftains conspired with security agents in the process. Also at CPS Ameta Azama in Ezza South Local Government and Igbeagu Ndigwe TTC, PU 014, Izzi, both in Ebonyi State,
Declaration of Results
GOVERNORSHIP
Ebonyi PDP MARTIN NWANCHO ELECHI 287,217 63.62%
ANPP SEN. JULIUS A. UCHA 125,248 27.74%
APGA AMB. FRANK NCHITA OGBUEWU 29,055 6.44%
ACN ADOL AWAM SONI CHRIS 3,618 0.80%
Other parties collectively got 1.41% of the total votes.
As regards the State Assembly election PDP won 22 of the seats representing 91.67% while ANPP won 2 seats representing 8.33%. In Edo State, A CN won 19 seats representing 79.17% while PDP won 4 seats representing 16.67%.
CONCLUSION
The overall assessment of the election in Edo State shows that, there was significant improvement as compared to 1999, 2003 and 2007 elections in Nigeria. The rescheduled National Assembly saw INEC overcoming most of the logistics challenges that surfaced on the April 2, 2011. The presidential elections was a further improvement on the conduct of the National Assembly election as some of the identified challenges such as missing names in the voters register were overcome. The State Assembly election witnessed little deterioration from the presidential election.
Based on the analysis presented above, the outcome of the election is satisfactory and comparable only to that of June 12, 1993 elections adjudged to be the freest and fairest election in Nigerian democratic history though hitches were recorded, such hitches did not substantially affect the final outcome of the election.
Ebonyi State on the other hand also witnessed little improvement in the conduct of election as compared to 1999, 2003 and 2007 elections. The presidential election also witnessed improvement when compared to the National Assembly election. Ebonyi State had higher cases of thurggery and other forms of irregularities during the 3 elections and there were allegations of result manipulation en-route to the collation centres, this means that high number of cases is expected at the tribunal.
However, we commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), International Observers, domestic observers, Security Agents and other stakeholders for their role in the success of April 2011 general election and urge them to sustain the tempo and improve on noticed lapses in future elections, even as we prepare for governorship elections in some states come 2012.
RECOMMENDATIONS
• For future elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should ensure effective and efficient partnership with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) so as to get quick feedback and a fair overall independent assessment of the entire process.
• There were complaints of large section of students not having the opportunity to vote as most of the higher institutions were closed during election but were open during voters’ registration. For future elections in the country, consideration should be given to where students will be during elections and they should be allowed to register in such places.
• Allegation of misconduct by security agents and all those arrested for various electoral frauds should be investigated and where such persons are found culpable, they should be made to face the full weight of the law.
• INEC should consider the immediate enforcement of provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 which provides for de–registration of all political parties which were unable to win any seat in the elections.
• INEC should consider bridging the time gap between accreditation and voting as so much man hour is lost. A system which combines both accreditation and voting should be evolved, in which case voting can end earlier on election days.
• In future elections, the Electoral Act should be further amended to provide for electronic voting system.