Presidential, National Assembly Elections in Imo: Observation and Analysis

By ThankGod Emeh, Owerri.

Owerri, the Imo state capital, Okigwe and Orlu Zones of the state on Saturday 23rd February, 2019 witnessed a near perfect election below the expectations, drummed preparations and assurance of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as there were reports of late arrival of election materials and INEC staff.

The unpalatable development was roundly observed by the Election Monitoring Team of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State Council during the elections.

Not left out in the hitches recorded, is the malfunctioning of Card Readers as majority of places monitored complained network and thumb printing issues.

It is so disturbing how late INEC staff reported at their assigned booths. At Ohaji/Egbema local government area of the state, just a few polling booths had accreditation and voting done timely because of early arrival of INEC staff but places like Umunwaku Ohaji, booths 11 and 17 of Uhuba Ward. Even at exactly 11:40am, nothing had started at the center. Consequently at 12:20pm, voters were were still being accredited in booth 006 of Orji Primary School, Owerri out of the five polling booths in the center. while polling booths 005, 008 and 009 alongside their INEC officers were absent, booth 007 was present but not working.

Hundreds of voters were seen lamenting their experience having been out since 6am to ensure they exercise their voting rights.

Moreso, the election witnessed low turn up of people as well as late counting of Votes that even at 7:00pm vote casts are being counted at various polling units including Nwangele and Nkwerre local government areas of the state.

The very good aspect of all the election exercise is that it was very peaceful in all ramifications; the various security agents including the military and paramilitary organizations were solidly on ground manning checkpoints and polling booths. I commend them for doing a great job.

There was no record of election thuggery or ballot box snatching except a report where a polling booth in Orieagu, Ehime Mbano had two presidential result sheet preventing the voters from voting but the Presiding Officer of the booth assured to rectify the situation.

In the foregoing, I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the electorate and stakeholders of the 2019 general election to be more proactive in their assignments to address some of the challenges in the Presidential and National Assembly elections in order to get it all right in the upcoming Governorship and State Houses of Assembly election come 9th March.

There is need for INEC and it’s staff to place a maximum number of card reader failed trials or two to three hours grace of trial before switching to manual accreditation. This approach would help forestall most of the hitches and waste of time occasioned by the device.

Truly, when all these are taken into record and the needful done, the Lord Almighty would do the rest to bring His elect on board to wipe away the tears of His people.