Yiaga Africa, an election monitoring group, has disclosed that 5,169,962 registered voters with permanent voter cards are set to participate in the gubernatorial elections on November 11 in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states.
These elections follow the controversial 2023 general elections in Nigeria, posing a significant test for democratic institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the executive in rebuilding public trust.
Key officials, Cynthia Mbamalu and Ezenwa Nwagwu, highlight the high-stakes nature of these elections, expressing concerns about potential violence, vote buying, and other irregularities. They stress the importance of providing a secure environment for Nigerians participating in these elections, free from violence, suppression, or intimidation.
During a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Yiaga emphasizes voters’ expectations for the timely deployment of election materials, early accreditation and voting, and transparent counting and collation of results to ensure a democratic outcome.
While acknowledging INEC’s preparedness, Yiaga urges meticulous configuration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and strict compliance with result sheet uploads on the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) to enhance transparency in results management.
The group also expresses concerns about insecurity and violence, particularly in Imo and Kogi states, as well as the abuse of incumbency powers, including campaign restrictions, fines on campaign posters, and attacks on political opponents.
“The successful administration of a peaceful and transparent election is dependent on the effective collaboration and coordination with respective institutions like the INEC, the Nigerian Police and other security agencies,” the group said.