The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has urged Nigeria Police force and other security agencies to arrest and prosecute all Electoral Offenders during the Osun governorship election, saying, the police deployment of 21,000 personnel for Osun State Governorship Election must be made effective across the State, taking special cognisance of the security flash points, while adhering strictly to the rules of engagement.
Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Ene Obi disclosed this on Friday during a press conference in Osogbo ahead of the 2022 election in Osun State.
Obi said the situation Room recognised the efforts of the Nigeria Police to setup a special unit on votes buying as announced by the Inspector General of Police, further call on the Police to document evidence of violence, infractions and their perpetrators and share this information with INEC, in order to speedily bring offenders to book no matter how highly placed.
She called on the Security Agencies to be vigilant and apprehend offenders with regards to vote buying and not necessarily wait for election officials to point them out, she said, "hopeful that the entire security machinery will conduct themselves responsibly and adhere to civil and responsible terms of engagement under the rule of law."
The Convener stressed that the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room expects an improved administration and management of the 2022 Osun State Governorship Election especially in areas where gains were recorded in the recent Ekiti State Governorship election.
She noted that, as in other elections, Situation Room’s observation of INEC’s administration of the process will be in the early distribution and deployment of personnel and materials, Timely opening of poll, Priority Voting and availability of assistive materials for persons with disabilities. Knowledge of election procedures by INEC ad hoc staff. Voting procedures particularly the efficacy of the new Bi-modal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS). Transmission of polling units results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal, Vote trading and Transparent Collation process.
Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Ene Obi therefore called on the political parties and their supporters to play by the rules and to support the conduct of a free, fair and credible election in Osun State.
Obi urged all governorship candidates should uphold the spirit and contents of the Peace Accord and must note that there is a moral and legal obligation to abide by this agreement and there will be consequences in this regard, in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
She advised eligible voters in Osun State to exercise their franchise on Saturday, 16th July 2022 and effectively participate in the process of electing a leader of their choice for the State.
Spye News reports that the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room with more than 70 Civil Society Organizations represented convened in Osogbo, Osun State to observe the Osun State Governorship Election 2022.
Situation Room will work with its partners and networks to observe the election and receive reports from across the 30 Local Government Areas and 332 wards in the State.
