#EdoDecides2024: Yiaga Africa Flags Uneven Security, Vote-Buying, and Logistical Delays in Election Monitoring Report

Mid-day Situational statement by Yiaga Africa, an election monitoring group, has identified uneven deployment of security personnel to polling centres, and logistical challenges which caused delays in commencement of voting in several areas as perceived lapses that could impact the outcome of the ongoing governorship election in Edo State.

The statement by the citizens-led civic advocacy group which was jointly endorsed by Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, chairperson of the 2024 Edo Election Mission, and Samson Itodo, Executive Director, Yiaga Africa said the uneven deployment of security personnel, which was not in short supply, resulted in some densely populated polling units having limited security presence in the election.

It also reported voters were induced with as much as N10,000 each.

It stated that logistical challenges caused delays in the commencement of accreditation and voting in several polling units and expressed concern over reports of intimidation of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to
bypass the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in some parts of the state.

The data was gleaned from the Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology to observe the ongoing election based on 300 stationary and 25 roving observers, covering a representative sample of polling units across all 18 local government areas of the state.

It particularly cited Akoko-Edo local government area where there was a report of missing results sheets in Polling Unit 1 in Ward 8, and Orhionmwon local government area where there were disruptions.

It lamented the invasion of polling Unit 5 in Uwessan Ward 2, Esan Central local government area
where political thugs allegedly chased away voters from their polling unit. It however stated that despite the shortcomings in some areas, the election began peacefully with minimal critical incidents.

Yiaga Africa noted that these infractions could cause voter suppression and election manipulation which was worsened by poor rainfall due to poor weather condition that led to delay in voting in some parts of the state.

According to the statement, “Although most polling units observed had the presence of security agencies, Yiaga Africa observed an uneven distribution of security
personnel, resulting in some densely populated polling units having limited security presence”.

On the flip side, Yiaga Africa, commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security agencies for their swift action in arresting suspected vote-buyers at polling units in Egor and Oredo Local Government Areas during the election as predicted in its pre-election statement.

The Non-Governmental Organisation called on the commission to extend its operations to other local government areas where votes were being traded
for N10,000 per voter even in the presence of security personnel.

It also commended the Nigeria Police for arresting and disarming political
thugs with firearms on the eve of the election, contributing to a more secure election day environment