Civil Rights Group Rates INEC Low On Election
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- Category: April 2011 Polls
- Published on Monday, 04 April 2011 05:00
- Written by Admin
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Notwithstanding the postponement of the National Assembly election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reports of the election which came in indicated that the elections would have been marred by irregularities if it had held.
The Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, in its preliminary report, said it gathered from its members across the federation that the National Assembly election was beset with late arrival of election materials.
The problem, noted the observer group, would have upset the timing and arrangements made for the kick off of voting, stressing that as at the time the election postponement was announced by 12 noon, voting materials were yet to be delivered in many states of the federation
The group headed by Comrade Shehu Sani in its preliminary report said, “our coordinators across the states had indicated that there was a problem of late delivery of election materials across most state of the federation. In many states up to 12 noon, election materials were yet to be delivered.
This will undoubtedly affect the daily schedule and timing of the elections.
“Late delivery of materials leads to late accreditation and this will ultimately lead to disenfranchisement of many if the closing time of the election still stands at 5pm.
“Late delivery of materials is inexcusable going by the fact that enough funding and logistics had been provided and secured by the resident electoral commissioners across the states. An election cannot be credible until it is conclusive and all inclusive.
“The announced cancellation of the elections by INEC Chairman is inevitable but could have been avoided. Even though the elections have been shifted, we believe it will unavoidably affect the morale and enthusiasm of Nigerian voters”
The observer group, however called for a thorough investigations of the postponement of the National Assembly poll, as according to it, such probe should unravel whether or not the development was a sabotage. (Tribune)
