The Coalition of Accredited Election Observers for Delta State local government elections held on Saturday, July 13, has released its preliminary report, affirming that the election was generally peaceful, free and fair.
In a communique issued on Monday in Asaba, the Coalition which is made up of 25 accredited NGOs, said the local government elections in the state were conducted within the international best practices.
According to the communique read by the team leader of the DSIEC Accredited Election Observers, Comrade Fidelis Nweke, the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the relevant state electoral law.
The Election Observers disclosed in the communique that there were observed challenges in some areas, adding however, that such challenges were not enough to affect the result declared by DSIEC.
In its pre-election observations, the communique said members of the Coalition observed the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials at the CBN Headquarters, Asaba, where they met with various stakeholders in the electoral process including the state Commissioner of Police, the leadership of DSIEC, political parties and the electorate.
The communique added that the import of the meeting with relevant stakeholders was aimed at determining their level of preparedness as part of the critical component of election observation in the state council polls.
On election day activities, the communique said the Coalition team of Observers who were deployed to the three senatorial districts of the state reported that the exercise was generally peaceful as electorate filed out in their numbers to exercise their franchise.
“The distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials was largely impressive for the efficient manner in which these materials were distributed from ward levels to various polling units across 24 local government areas of the state.
“However, late arrival of election materials was noticed in some polling units that we visited which led to late commencement of voting,” the communique stated.
While saying that there was impressive turnout of voters in most areas, the communique noted that in some polling units, voters’ apathy was visible, adding that the apathy could be attributed to little showers on the election day in some areas.
“Every where was generally peaceful, the voting process went on smoothly. In most of the polling units visited by our team of Observers, voting, sorting of ballot papers and counting of results was witnessed and various candidates of different political parties were declared winners at different units, pending the overall announcement of the election result.
“All the participated political parties and their candidates displayed maturity as they conducted themselves in good manner.
“We noticed that DSIEC was resolute, transparent and committed to conducting a credible, free and fair local government elections in the state.
“Hence, they provided a level playing field for all political parties that participated in the elections as all the stakeholders, political parties, civil society organisations, media and security agencies among others, are all committed to see a peaceful election in the state,” members of the Coalition said in the communique.
The communique recommended that there should be restriction of movement of persons and goods on election day as a way of averting voters apathy in any election, adding that relevant stakeholders and security agencies should ensure compliance.
“We recommend that before the next election in Delta State, the electoral umpire should, in collaboration with civil society organisations and political parties, engage in voters education, sensitization and mobilisation for effective participation of the citizenry.
“We recommend that before the next election, DSIEC should make provisions for People Living With Disability (PLWD) to be able to participate in the electoral process,” the communique added.
While commending the DSIEC Chairman, his team of Commissioners, staff and ad-hoc staff for conducting a peaceful, free and fair elections in the state, the communique lauded Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for making sure that all the logistics were provided for the conduct of the peaceful election.
The DSIEC Accredited NGOs that observed the elections were Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Delta State Chapter; Mega Impact Foundation; Integrity Group of Delta State; Concerned Deltans for Good Governance Network; New Nation Foundation for Global Development; Women and Youth Empowermemt for Global Change Initiative; Echo for Good Governance, Human Development and Enhancement Initiative; Advocate for Sustainable Development and lnitiative for the Rapid Development of Nigeria (IRD-Nigeria).
Others were Citizens Rights for Peace and Good Leadership Initiative; African Christian Care Trust Organisation; Chiro Credible Election Forum; Committee for Development (COD); Foundation for Promotion of Women Development; Advocates of the Greater Good and Citizens Greater Good Initiative; Eziodu Initiative for Sustainable Environmental Development and Coalition for Credible Elections, Good Governance and Democracy.
Also included were Alliance for Social Justice and Human Rights; Delta State Civil Engagement and Civil Society Volunteers; Delta State Civil Society Volunteers; Governance and Equal Justice Alliance; Progressive and Good Governance Support in Nigeria; Initiative for Global Women Empowerment; Akwa-Ibom Esteem Welfare Association and Youth and Media Network Organisation.