Fred Ezeh, Abuja
An election observer group, Center for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has confirmed that governorship and state legislative elections held across Nigeria last Saturday was better organized than the presidential election held two weeks ago.
It said that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had remarkable improvement in logistical arrangements which resulted in early deployment of personnel and materials and early commencement of polls.
The group said its field observers reported early arrival of INEC officials and materials at polling stations, while accreditation and voting started simultaneously between 8 am and 8.30 am in many polling units.
It also reported early arrival of security agents drawn from the police and other security agencies, special attention to people with special needs such as pregnant women, the elderly, people with disabilities, and nursing mothers.
The group said its field officers also observed that ad-hoc staff had challenges operating the card reader in some areas, as well as cases of vote trading which was openly done in some places.
CTA Acting Executive Director, Faith Nwadishi, however commended INEC for the improvement recorded from the past experience.
She registered her discontent with the role that politicians played in the electoral process which greatly undermined the credibility of the process.
She said: “Being the final beneficiaries of the electoral process, politicians should be seen to play great role in maintaining the credibility of the ballot and not otherwise.”
Nwadishi maintained that CTA was committed to contributing its quota in ensuring and promoting credible elections in Nigeria.