Osun 2018: Group To Deploy 561 Observers
No fewer than 561 trained election observers would be deployed by YIAGA AFRICA’s WatchingTheVote to monitor the forthcoming governorship election slated for September 22nd, 2018 in Osun State.
This was disclosed in Osogbo by WTV Project Director Ms Cynthia Mbamalu during a round table discussion with media team organized by YIAGA AFRICA’s WatchingTheVote on observation deployment plan for the election.
According to her, YIAGA AFRICA will deploy 500 stationary, 31 mobile citizen observers and 30 collation observers to a representative random sample of 250 polling units across the 30 local government areas of the state including Ife East Area office.
Mbamalu stated that the comprehensive observation of the September 2018 Osun State Election includes a systematic observation of voting and counting at a representative random sample of polling using the Parallel Vote Tabulation methodology and employing information and communication technologies (ICTs) to rapidly transmit observer reports.
She said ‘the sample is carefully constructed by a trained statistician to ensure every LGA is included proportionally in the sample. The number of sampled polling units for each LGA is therefore based on the percentage of polling units and registered voters in that LGA’
Also speaking, the Training Manager of WTV, Paul James said, the PVT is an advanced Election Day observation methodology that uses well-established statistical principles and sophisticated information technology.
“PVT provide the most timely and accurate information on the conduct of voting and counting, and is the only observation methodology that can independently verify the accuracy of official Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) election results”, he said
His words: “The PVT allows YIAGA AFRICA #WatchingTheVote to present an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the Election Day processes, such as whether election officials follow proper procedures, the presence and behavior of party agents, secrecy of the vote, and transparency of the counting process”
Besides, YIAGA AFRICA will be providing independent information to voters, candidates, political parties, and INEC about whether the official results for the Osun Elections truly reflect the ballots cast at polling units and to James explained.
Pre-election Manger Safiya Bichi further highlighted that YIAGA AFRICA will also be observing the Pre-election environment to give early warning signals in order to prevent break down of law and order.
According Bichi, this involve a comprehensive observation of the pre-election period beginning with voter registration, tracking of early warning signs, activities of INEC, political parties candidate nominations and rallies and other election stakeholders, using advanced observation methodologies.
‘YIAGA AFRICA #WatchingTheVote (WTV), is a citizen-led election observation initiative aimed at enhancing the integrity of elections using technology and evidence-based research methodology tools for election observation. WTV is designed to promote credible election and boost citizen’s confidence in the electoral process through the provision of citizen’s oversight on elections through the electoral cycle’, she concluded.
