From Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), a Non-governmental organisation, have slammed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and government to provide adequate logistics and welfare packages for the ad-hoc staff and security operatives deployed for the Anambra State November 8 gubernatorial poll
CTA, which deployed 50 accredited observers across 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and polling units, observed that most of the ad-hoc staff and security operatives were left stranded, with unpaid allowances, poor feeding, sleeping at non-conducive environment, taken bathe in open field and abandonment by drivers, among others.
According to the Executive Director, CTA, Ms Faith Nwadishi, this impacted negatively on the Anambra State governorship poll as some polling units started accreditation and voting behind the schedules, even as vote buying took place in the presence of those Ad-hoc staff and security operatives.
“CTA notes with concern the inadequate welfare arrangement for police personnel deployed for the Anambra election by the police leadership. Some police personnel complained that they had nowhere to bath and slept in open fields since they arrived Anambra. Some also complained that they were yet to be paid their allowances, except the N1,000 budetted for snacks for police by the INEC,” she stayed.
She also expressed worry over the absence of some political parties agents across polling units and the conducts of some party agents at polling units, which according to her, contravenes the provisions of electoral act and guidelines.
“Another thing we experienced in this election which called for more electoral reforms, is how some voters deliberately refused to vote. Some of them were seeing soliciting for those who will buy their votes and bargaining on how much they must be paid before they will vote. If the citizens are not willingly to sale their votes, politicians will be forced to have a rethink on their actions. We need more voter education,” she stated.
Contributing, Dr Emeka Ononamadu, one of the expert observers for the CTA and former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, insisted that not providing conducive environment for establishment of RAC centres for deployed INEC staff and security personnel, including not paying good attention to their welfare, would always impact affect electoral integrity.
He, therefore, suggested that only schools and other building with basic amenities and safety should be designated as RAC centre, even as the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) should be made to monitor their members and ensure they no longer dump or abandon INEC staff, security and sensitive materials.
Another observer expert and lecturer from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Alex Asigbo, who read the group address, revealed that logistics arrangements, including vehicles deployment, were inadequate, even as some hired vehicles for the election refused to pick up other INEC officials to polling units after making their initial drop-off.
