By Diana Omueza
#TrackNigeria: A Non-Government Organisation, Cleen Foundation, on Monday said that unruly conduct of political parties and politicians was significantly impeding free, fair and credible elections in the country.
Dr Benson Olugbuo, Executive Director of the foundation, said this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
According to Olugbuo, political parties and politicians are responsible for rigging and hiring of thugs that were recorded in some places during the 2019 general elections.
Olugbuo, who expressed dismay over the role of some politicians and political parties in inducing voters and electoral officials, said the practice had marred the credibility of the exercise in some places.
He said that it had perpetuated violence and other electoral malpractice.
According to him, parties and politicians alike through their actions have invoked hate speeches as well as ignited ethnic and religious intolerance during elections.
The executive director, therefore, canvassed for electoral reforms that could guarantee transparent electoral process and promote the country’s democracy.
“There is a need for necessary legislative structure and civic education as measures to be undertaken to correct the negative influence and conduct of political parties and politicians in the country’s electoral process.
“The tribunals should also discharge their responsibilities in ensuring redress of electoral grievances.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should also collate and study reports of domestic and international observers in order to identify necessary reforms towards free, fair and credible elections,’’ he said.
Olugbuo also urged the executive and legislative arms of government to cooperate in undertaking fundamental reforms of the electoral process to ensure violence free and fair elections in future.
He also urged the Federal Government to revisit Justice Mohammed Uwais-led electoral reform committee report of 2008 and observers report on elections since 2011 to guide in carrying out the reforms.
Olugbuo, however, commended INEC on the conduct of supplementary elections held on March 23 to conclude the governorship and state houses of assembly elections in some states.
He said that the commission had improved its logistics arrangements as observed by 153 observers from Cleen Foundation and “TELLA’’ mobile application that received real-time information from field-based INEC accredited observers.
He also commended the punctuality of security personnel during the polls.
“From the reports submitted by our field observers, 45.74 per cent of security personnel arrived before 8:00 a.m., while 30 per cent arrived before 9:00 a.m.
“However, 23 percent arrived before 7:00 a.m. and this is very commendable.
“Also 97 percent of the polling units had about three or more security agents and despite the significant presence of armed security personnel, reports showed that they did not constitute security threat to voters,’’ he said. (NAN).
