2019 Elections: Observer Groups Express concern Over Card Transfer Errors
Consequent upon the observed failure of Permanent Voters Card transfer during the Osun gubernatorial election, observer groups have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to as a matter of urgency tackled card transfer error.
At a joint press conference addressed by Joint International/Domestic Observers and civil society organizations, in Osogbo, the groups insisted that card transfer failure litmus in Osun poses a big treat for 2019 general election.
The groups, according to their findings during the election exercise observed that error of card transfer mitigated against some people of Osun who were willing to vote as they are being disenfranchised due to failure of completion of their card transfer.
In the presentation of Pan-African Women Projects, Dr. (Mrs) Enough Udensi said inconclusive election is not peculiar to Nigeria but saying declaration of Osun 2018 governorship election inconclusive is in line with the international electoral standard.
According to her, opinion poll sampling shows that people of Osun State were willing to cast their vote but one of the things that mitigated against this is one error or the other.
She called on women and youths to resist from seeing their conscience in the name of vote buying in the rerun election.
While highlighting the observations of African Union- Economic, Social and Cultural Council, coordinated by Ndubuisi Victor said, “The aged and disabled persons were visible in some polling units in attempt to cast their votes, voting in most places were concluded early as witnessed in Ede South ward 05 unit 01.
“At about 1:00pm money inducement were sighted in few places as witnessed Dada Estate Egbedore ward 09 polling unit 002, one of the card readers used in this area with number 29/09/10/00c failed to work.
He noted that, “Card transfer generally failed in most polling unit we visited across the State, it is important to note that large number of eligible voters were disenfranchised of their right to vote due to card transfer errors across the State.
“This poses a big treat for 2019 general election as this appears to be a template for the election. We therefore call the attention of INEC as a matter of urgency to tackle card transfer error before 2019 election. “
Director General of Center for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, admonished the residents where the supplementary election will take to come out in mass to exercise their right of franchise.
To this end, it becomes pertinent that Nigerians should emancipate themselves from parochial and biased sentiments and focus on quality democratic transition hinged on the rule of law for which INEC is upholding based on high integrity in line with Global Best Practice. He concluded.
Commending the INEC, Bafunsho Tunde, Organization of Justice for Equity Sustenance (OJES) said the September 22 governorship election was conducted under conducive environment of maximum security network and monitored by the trained and committed INEC poll officials.
According to OJES Coordinator ” the election was very transparent, credible , peaceful, successful without any form of cash inducement, but INEC declared it inconclusive without undermining any political/candidate’s interest but in compliance with the electoral laws that stipulated that whenever ” the cancelled votes, (3498) figure is higher than the difference (353) between the highest PDP-254,698 votes) and second (APC-254,345 votes) scorers, such election must be declared inconclusive and supplementary election be held in such poling units before the declaration of winner
Echoing a similar view, Dr Mrs Fatima Joshua , VP- President NIDO Asia Members Pan African Women urged the electorate to come out en mass and cast their vote for the candidate of their choice come tomorrow Thursday 27, 2018.
Mrs Joshua said who urged politicians not allow electorate to vote for the candidate of their choice, said people of the state should not be fear to exercise their civic responsibility.
According to her, ” all the PVC holders and the youths should come out en mass and vote for their candidate and don’t forcefully force people to vote the candidate they want, we are asking everyone to come out en mass and should not be afraid or scared. “
