Emmanuel Ukudolo
Nigeria, January 9, 2016 – A non-governmental organization deployed to monitor ongoing elections in Bayelsa State, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) over what it described as gross abuse of office by officials of the electoral umpire deployed to conduct the elections.
The group, Centre For Credible Leadership and Citizens (CCLC) also observed that there were instances of snatching of electoral materials by thugs in the re-run election.
In the petition to INEC office in Bayelsa, signed by its President Dr. Gabriel Nwamba, the group reported that electoral materials and INEC personnel never got to Lobia 1, 2 and 3 communities in Bassan area of Southern Ijaw LGA.
“In Oyoma in SILGA constituency 2, the materials have also been taken away to an unknown destination. In Ekowe community in SILGA constituency 3, there is a stand-off between 2 groups, as to where voting should take place.
“One group is arguing that, the materials and INEC personnel be moved to a location, different from the already approved and known location. In Ukubie and Azuzuama, no materials and INEC staff were sighted, meaning the entire people of these communities have been disenfranchised.
“In Brass, materials and INEC personnel meant for Cape Formosa area, made up of Egweama, Beletiama and Liama were snatched and taken away by thugs to an unknown destination. Same was the case for Minibie in Akassa area of Brass. There were reports of snatching of materials for units 2, 4, 13 and 15 in Brass, with no elections taking place and this was confirmed by the Police DPO in the area, who equally disclosed the arrest and hand-cuffing of 2 thugs.
“In Nembe, materials and personnel for Nembe ward 6 and 9 were hijacked and taken to Okpoama”, the group reported.
These incidents according to the group are fundamental issues that affect the success or failure of every election, guided by democratic principles and practices, in line with globally accepted standards.
“They are equally glaring cases of malpractice and should be given due attention, if the election is to be seen and adjudged as free, fair and credible in the eyes of the international community.
“This is our position, as an unbiased observer for the re-run governorship election in Bayelsa State and let us be reminded here too that, based on the standards set by the immediate past leadership of INEC at the national level, Nigerian democracy has received international reckoning and we must not, for whatever reasons lower the standards.
“It is hoped that, you will use your good offices to dispassionately, as the unbiased umpire that you are, to examine this report and act in line with acceptable democratic norms and practices”, the group advised.