By Daniel Kateng
The International Leadership Initiative and Coalition of INEC Accredited Observer Groups have raised concerned over incidents of violence in most polling units in Plateau State.
The group in a press conference in Jos addressed by Prince Stafford Jedidiah Bisong observed that there were late arrival and shortage of electoral materials in most polling units across the state.
“Nigerians were promised a safe and secured environment for voting by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba but we all can attest to records of violence and insecurities in many polling centres and that can only mean that the number of security personnel in every polling unit is not enough or otherwise, many polling units had only one security personnel.
“Some polling units had no security personnel at all; 3 polling units in Panyam ward had no security personnel even during the voting exercise.”
He lamented that INEC text some voters on election day on change of polling units, saying voting was made difficult for Nigerians in such areas.
The group observed that some of the voter cards were not recognized by the BVAS while their names were found in the printout documents provided and we’re not allowed to vote.
“There was no real time for results upload in virtually 70% of the polling units observed as reported by the Intercontinental Leadership Initiative field observers. It was reported that results were uploaded offline since there were issues with the INEC result viewing portal.
“We call on INEC to work towards improving in the area of logistics and the BVAS technology moving forward. We also call on the Inspector General of police and heads of other security agencies to also improve on security delivery in subsequent elections, especially the fourth coming governorship and state Houses Assembly in March 11, 2023”
