THE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said yesterday that about 50 deaths were recorded during Saturday’s elections. Property worth millions of naira was destroyed by arsonist.
The Chairman, NHRC, Chidi Odinkalu, in a statement, commended Nigerians, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for a job well done.
Also, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), urged INEC to do its all to prevent a recurrence of the lapses recorded during Saturday’s elections.
Odinkalu said all acts of election-related violence must be condemned unreservedly. He called for a general condemnation of the killing of and attacks on uniformed personnel of the security agencies as well as the killing of INEC staff. “Those responsible must be held to account. Such political violence dishonors the high sense of civic pride, sacrifice and co-existence showed by Nigerians throughout this period.
“The voting process was not without some challenges, including pockets of violence and security breaches. From different parts of the country, there have been incidents, reports and allegations of various forms of violence, including some reported attacks by extremists in some parts of north eastern Nigeria designed to frustrate the exercise of the franchise. “Some highlights include: Acts of violence resulting in fatalities have so far been reported in Akwa Ibom, Borno, Bauchi, Edo, Gombe, Lagos, Osun, Rivers, and Yobe States.
“At the end of yesterday (Sunday), the number of persons reported killed in these attacks and incidents is over 50. “This number includes one state legislator, a community leader and two (2) ad-hoc election staff of the I Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), allegedly been killed in an extremist attack in Gombe State, as well as the killing of an asset of the Nigerian armed forces in Rivers State.
“There were also reported cases of injuries from politically-motivated violence in Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Lagos, and Kano States as well as allegations of snatching of ballot boxes, card readers and related election materials in some states, including Akwa Ibom, Benue, Gombe, Imo, Niger, and Rivers States.
“There have also been isolated but very worrying reports of arson attacks on assets of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in parts of the Niger Delta.
“Similarly, we have also noted widespread availability of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in some parts of the country, especially in parts of Akwa Ibom, Imo, Delta, Rivers, and Benue States.
In a statement by its Operating Officer, Agianpe Ashang, it expressed discomfort over the inability of INEC to deploy its officials and election materials on time to allow for a timely commencement of polls.
“Officials and materials did not reach significant number of polling stations by the time of poll opening. This delayed accreditation and voting led to continuation of polls till late into the night in many places. INEC’s delays in commencement and closing of polls subjected the voters, some of whom arrived very early at the polling stations, to untoward experiences.
“The Situation Room insists that the experience of late commencement of polling will not recur and that INEC will not stretch the patience of the Nigerian voter beyond tolerable level in future elections,” it said.
The group which noted that the diligence and sacrifice of Nigerians during the elections was a reflected their deep commitment to democratic governance particularly, commended the courage of voters in Gombe State, who persisted in participating in the election despite the terrorist attack.
It expressed deep concern about the reports of interference in the electoral process in some states, especially Rivers and Imo states.
It said reports of failure by security agencies to prevent havoc by non-state groups in some polling units were received.
“These developments raise concern that the collation of results may be compromised if appropriate actions are not taken to safeguard the credibility of the exercise.
“We appeal to political parties and politicians to exercise restraint and desist from the use of violence in the electoral process. We urge the security agencies and officials to conduct themselves according to established standards of professional conduct,” it said.
While applauding INEC’s efforts to introduce technology into the electoral process, the group said it was concerned by reports of challenges with the accreditation process resulting in the suspension of the use of card readers and reversal to manual accreditation.
“This failure has undermined the full benefit anticipated by the use of biometric technology and imposed unnecessary hardship on Nigerians. “We call on INEC to make clear what guidelines will govern the accreditation process during the 11 April 2015 elections.
“We urge the Commission to make a clear and definitive statement on these elections taken into account needs to correct its own deficiencies and inform the Nigerian public as to what to expect.
“We also call on INEC to intensify its outreach to the public providing full information on situations as they develop and guidelines for the conduct of the remaining aspects of the elections.
“The Situation Room calls on the public to remain patient and maintain a high level of commitment to participating in the remaining aspects of the electoral process. We urge all Nigerians to remain orderly and law abiding and to refrain from any actions that may further challenge the electoral process.
“We urge the public to cooperate with the relevant authorities and to report any action capable of undermining the electoral process to the appropriate authorities and civic organizations,” the group said.
