Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room Affirms Readiness To Adequately Monitor Edo Election, Deployed 4000 Observers

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has reaffirmed its preparedness to adequately observe the Edo State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday September 21, 2024.

As result, the Situation Room and its partner organizations have deployed a cumulative of 4,000
trained accredited and citizen observers to follow up the conduct of the election.

The team is expected to work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its ad-hoc staff, security
agencies, political parties, voters, and other key stakeholders.

These were contained in the organization’s preliminary assessments released at a Pre-election press conference in Benin on Friday

According to the group, our primary objective is to ensure that the election is conducted in full compliance with the Electoral Act, INEC Guidelines, and all relevant laws that guarantee a free, fair, peaceful and credible process.

“The Situation Room has engaged stakeholders including civic groups, INEC, Political Parties, Security agencies and traditional and religious institutions in the buildup to the election.

“The Situation Room acknowledges the tense atmosphere leading up to this election. Reports of potential infractions, allegations of security agencies’ bias, and fears of
violence have heightened public anxiety. It is imperative that all stakeholders play their roles responsibly to ensure a peaceful and credible election.

“Our preliminary assessments have revealed areas of concern, and we wish to address these points while calling for a credible process.

“Situation Room calls on all eligible voters to come out and exercise their civic duty on Election Day without fear, while avoiding being used by rogue politicians to undermine the electoral process.

“To this end, we urge voters to do the following:
*Voters should be orderly and peaceful at polling units and avoid any actions that could disrupt the process or intimidate others.

•Reject Vote Selling: Selling votes is illegal and undermines the future of Edo State. Voters must resist the temptation to exchange their votes for money or other inducements, as their future welfare and the quality of governance depend on the choices they make.

“Timely turnout: Edo voters are encouraged to go to their polling units on time to exercise their franchise. Given the regular raining situation, it is important for voters
to come out early to avoid being trapped by rain.

“Election Observers: For observers, it’s crucial to maintain a high standard of integrity and impartiality. Observers must prioritize accurate and unbiased reporting of events
and processes, refraining from being influenced by external pressures or political
interests.

“Any attempt to manipulate reports or distort facts undermines the credibility of the electoral process and compromises public trust. To ensure transparency, observers
should verify all information with credible sources, document their findings meticulously, and uphold their duty to report objectively, contributing to a fair and credible election
outcome for the people of Edo State”.

Concluding, the Situation Room noted that
Elections in Edo State have previously been fraught with tension, but we remain hopeful
that this governorship election will mark a departure from past fears and irregularities.

“We call on all stakeholders, INEC, security agencies, political parties, and voters to abide by the Electoral Act and INEC’s Guidelines and Regulations to deliver a free, fair, and credible election.

“We also call on INEC and Security Agencies to ensure that observers
have full access to the Collation Centres.

“The Situation Room and other independent observers are committed to ensuring that
the will of Edo voters is respected”