'Obi's Election Full of Irregularities'

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of over 360 Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) operating in Nigeria, says the re-election of Mr. Peter Obi as Anambra state governor is far from being free and fair.   

Read the Report below:

PRELIMINARY REPORT OF TRANSITION MONITORING GROUP (TMG)

ON THE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION IN ANAMBRA STATE HELD ON
6TH FEBRUARY, 2010

Introduction
The Governorship election for Anambra State was conducted today, 6th February, 2010. Though INEC refused to accredit TMG to monitor the election, TMG members, as Nigerians, conscious of the fact that they have the right to freedom of movement guaranteed by the 1999 constitution of Nigeria which can only be restricted by a law which is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society for certain constitutionally specified purposes; and mindful of the fact that they have the right to participate in government guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights which has been ratified by Nigeria, monitored the election in exercise of these rights, since the action of Professor Maurice Iwu in trying to stop TMG from monitoring the election is arbitrary, unreasonable, arrogant and without legal foundation.
Though the election might look peaceful, from general Observation,it was marred by open irregularity accentuated by ballot snatching ,stuffing ,aiding and abetting, late arrival of election officials and voting materials and inability of voters to cast

From the reports submitted by TMG observers, we hereby issue this preliminary report.

LARGE PRESENCE OF THE POLICE AND MILITARY PERSONNEL IN THE STATE

There was a large presence of the police, the military, civil defence corps, and other security agents in the state during the election. This has the positive effect of drastically reducing violence during the election. However, it also created an atmosphere of fear capable of scarring voters away from the polling booths. Furthermore, the fact that policemen and officers from various states were assembled in Anambra State for the election created an artificial environment since these police officers and soldiers will not remain in Anambra State after the election.

LATE ARRIVAL OF ELECTION OFFICIALS AND MATERIALS

According to the INEC guidelines, polling was supposed to commence by 9.00a.m. In all polling stations monitored by the TMG, no INEC officer or security official was seen in any polling station until 11.00a.m. In places like Trans Nkisi in Onitsha North Local Government, polling commenced as late as 2.00p.m. In many polling centres voters were milling around rudderless with grievances boldly written on their faces after spending hours without seeing INEC officials who will conduct the election.

DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF VOTERS THROUGH THE
VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE

Many voters did not find their names on the voters’ register as a result of which they could not vote. For instance in Aroma Ward I, Awka South L.G.A. majority of voters could not find their names on the voters register. To assuage the voters, the election officials started compiling names of voters present and allowing them to vote. In Okoko Ward II, out of over 200 voters present, only four persons found their names on the register. The rest were not accredited to vote and they left in frustration. In Amaokpala in Orumba North, majority of the voters did not find their names on the voters” register and were therefore ordered to leave the polling booths by the Police. In Orie Akpu in Orumba North, no voter present found his or her name on the voters register. At St. Matthews Church Amawbia, all persons who registered at INEC office could not find their names on any register and therefore could not vote. At G.T.C. Awka, most registered
voters could not find their names on the voters register. The same thing happened in Ogbuti Oti Ward. In Ukpor in Nenwi South L.G.A. (Umuaraba Community Primary School) different registered voters and polling units were sent to the place. In effect, the registered voters in the area could not find their names on the voters register. Subsequently, those with voters card but whose names were not on the voters register were allowed to vote in Ukpor.

BALLOT SNATCHING

At Umueri Ward 5, Awka South L.G.A., people in police uniform released gunshots, scarred voters and election officials away and took away the voting materials.


ABSENCE OF VOTING

In Umuokpu Ward 7, Awka South, there was supposed to be 7 polling units in the ward. As at 3.00p.m. no election official or material was seen in the area. The Ward has 4,035 registered voters. As at 2.00p.m. no election official or material was seen at Central Primary School, Nando, Anambra East L.G.A.

STUFFING OF BALLOT BOXES

In Trans-Nkisi Polling Unit 010, Old Marine Quarters, Onitsha North L.G.A. the ballot box was stuffed in a private place. There was no security presence in the polling both at all.

HARASSMENT OF VOTERS

At polling unit 001, Trans-Nkisi, Old Marine Quarters, voters reported that they were unable to vote as a result of intimidation and harassment by one Emeka Idu, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, elected on the platform of the PDP. The police men who were supposed to be at the polling unit were seen about two poles away from the polling unit.

POLICE CONDUCT
On the average there were five policemen at every polling station. Generally the policemen and other security personnel were cordial, except in few places.

SECRECY OF VOTING

We observe that INEC provided a cubicle which ensured secrecy of voting. This is commendable.

CONCLUSION

Generally, the reports from our observers did not reflect any integrity, competence, or efficiency on the part of INEC in the conduct of the election.


Comrade Mashood Erubami
Chairman
TMG

Auwal Musa Rafsanjani
P.R.O