YIAGA has revealed a report based on a summary of findings based on political campaigns, INEC’s preparedness, voter education and participation of marginalized groups.
Below are the recommendations proferred by the organization in a statement released by Samson Itodo, the Organization’s Executive Director
INEC
INEC should ensure inclusion, especially of all marginalized groups, there is a need for a more proactive and targeted communication using different channels of communication on the electoral process.
The gubernatorial elections will be having a large number of political parties contesting (23 in Kogi and 45 in Bayelsa), this may increase pressure on INEC and more importantly on polling officials on election day.
INEC should, therefore, beef up its oversight and monitoring mechanisms that will further strengthen and ensure compliance to the electoral laws and guidelines, while avoiding unnecessary postponements of polls.
INEC should come up with a robust mechanism and collaborate with both state and non-state actors to curb the menace of buying and selling of PVCs and other forms of voter inducement.
Security Agencies
Security agencies should be more intentional in addressing early signs of violence (hate speech, physical attacks, communal crises, voter inducements) and other criminal activities ongoing in the pre-election environment.
Security agencies should engage in active engagement and communications with citizens on the principles regulating security deployment and its operations ahead of the election.
Political Parties
Political party candidates and supporters should ensure they promote unity and peaceful election by refraining from any form of physical or verbal attacks on opponents or their supporters.
Political parties should invest in getting out votes and mobilizing voters to turn out peacefully to vote and not delve into undemocratic ways (buying of PVCs and inducing voters) of winning elections.
All political parties, especially in Kogi state should increase their activities of engaging voters with their policy plan while soliciting their support and votes.
Citizens
The election is about Nigerians, every Nigerian has a role to play to promote peaceful elections.
Voters should get ready to vote with their PVCs and not sell it for short-time gain.
