By: Ella Justice
Calls for urgent mitigation during March 18 poll
A Non Governmental Organizations, NGO, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) with support from the International Republican Institute, (IRI) , Centre For Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ as well as other Civil Society Organization, CSOs have trained over 50 Election security monitoring persons across the 25 LGAs in Delta state.
Chairman of Delta State Peace And Mediation Working Committee, On Election Violence Mitigation And Monitoring (EVMM) Project, Amb. Prince D. Ebilade, in a press conference held in Asaba Monday March 14 said Nigerian civil society will make use of data-driven approaches to identify vulnerabilities to electoral violence, monitor and report on incidents of violence, and deliver targeted counter-violence messaging to mitigate electoral violence for the 2023 general elections.
According to Amb. Ebilade they have trained 50 security monitors in Delta State and 276 across Six states in Nigeria, which Delta State is included with monitors per LGA, to monitor and observe the pre-election, election-day and post-election periods for incidents of violence, incidents that could engender violence (potential for violence), and voter education with a view to explore opinions, knowledge and non-violence expectations regarding the forthcoming general election; and also to examine real and potential security threats in the State so as to identify early warning signals that could assist relevant stakeholders, especially the INEC, security agencies and civil society organizations (CSOs) to deploy appropriate responses.
He noted that in a bid to mitigate electoral violence, the State Peace and Mediation Working Committee was set up. The Seven Man Peace and Mediation Working Committee members in the state will support electoral violence mitigation efforts towards peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections in February and March 2023, as well as intervene in critical issues of security concerns through high-level advocacy and dispute resolution.
The Delta EVMM Chairman stressed that one of the primary goals of the Election Violence Mitigation and Monitoring (EVMM) project Key Findings by the 50 security monitors were responsible for monitoring the : Physical Violence, Property Destruction, Protests, Inciting Violence, Recruiting Thugs, Arming Thugs, Government Restrictions on Political Activities, barred from using public spaces for campaigns and Vote Buying, among others, as indicators of electoral violence Reports from the trained long-term security monitors deployed between 17th December 2022 and 4th February 2023 also identified Eight (8) Delta LGAs where election violence as prominent violence perpetrated in Delta State: physical violence, properties destruction, protest, and vote buying are likely to take place are as follows : Ughelli South, Ughelli North, Eihiope East, Sapele, Udu, Oshimili South, Aniocha South and Warri North LGAs.
Amb. Ebilade also raised the alarm that three (3) out of the LGAs have experienced electoral violence. adding that , the report has shown that the recruitment and arming of thugs are ongoing in some parts of the state.
The press terse read in part thus: “Call to Action:Noting that the general election is a few days away, KDI at this moment request and passionately pleads with all stakeholders: INEC, political parties, candidates, youth leaders, security officers and political Stalwarts to please play by the rule and ensure a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the election.
.”INEC is enjoined to ensure all election materials arrive at the various polling units timeously and election commences promptly to avoid any form of violence. INEC must ensure that all the ad-hoc staff posted to the field are well-equipped and have the capacity to handle the business of the polls, as any perceived ineptitude on the part of INEC staff could call for violence.
“Security agents should conduct themselves in a professional and impartial manner and ensure justice in discharging their duty. The security agents must not be heard, seen, or perceived to be in support of any political party or help in perpetrating election fraud. Any act of partisanship on the part of the security agents can jeopardize the peace in the State.
“The media is encouraged to use all platforms, be it TV, radio, print or social media, to enlighten the citizens on the conduct of the election and preach peaceful conduct of the general election.
“The media are requested to be professional and desist from fake news in their reporting, bearing in mind that the people count on them for genuine unbiased reporting, Political Parties are requested to desist from all activities that could scare the people away from the polls. The likelihood of voter apathy is high if the bout of violence been perpetrated by party thugs and supporters continues through to election day., Political parties are requested to enlighten their members on the need to observe a peaceful election.
“All candidates involved in the forthcoming elections are requested to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for all by ensuring that their followers are not used to foment violence in any Ward or Local Government Area/Council. Religious and traditional rulers are enjoined to engage their people and use their exalted positions to convince them to shun violence and embrace peace at the general election.In conclusion, all election stakeholders need to ensure that all efforts are made towards having a violence-free general election in Delta State, as we hope for a peaceful atmosphere during and after the selection”. It concluded.
