The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has commended Nigerians for turning out in unprecedented numbers to exercise their right to vote.
The Commission however, expressed regrets over the disenfranchisement of Nigerians in some parts of the country including Lagos, Bayelsa and Kogi states.
Presenting the Commission’s preliminary statement of the 2023 presidential and National Assembly election in a press briefing on Sunday in Abuja, the Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu SAN, said, “Our monitors noted with satisfaction, the commendable turn-out of voters across the country. This is a marked improvement from previous presidential and National Assembly elections in 2019. Once again, the Commission commends Nigerians for their patriotism. Also, the Commission notes with regret, the disenfranchisement of Nigerians across Lagos, Bayelsa and Kogi states.
“Our report shows 92% success with accreditation using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Just as in off cycle elections in the states, BVAS has shown. We however note the reported cases of inability or failure to upload election results at most of the polling units after counting, even in city centres like Abuja and Lagos. The NHRC monitors reported that the accreditation process was smooth. 92% of voters were successfully accredited while 8% were unsuccessful.”
Reiterating, the NHRC helmsman said the Commission as part of its mandate to promote and protect human rights, launched its 2023 Election project “Mobilising Voters for Election (MOVE)” to ensure access, participation and accountability in the electoral process.
“The Commission on 25th of February 2023 mobilised and deployed 800 Human Rights Monitors across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to monitor the exercise of the right to vote and the level of access accorded to Nigerians to exercise these rights. The Commission also monitored the conduct of law enforcement and security personnel to note critical incidents relating to human rights violations occurring during and after the elections.
“A Human Rights Situation Room was set up at the Commission’s headquarters to monitor the conduct of the elections and receive complaints of human rights violation from the 36 states and the FCT.”
According to him, incidents of electoral violence were directly reported by their Monitors in 3% of the polling units observed across the country.
“In Kogi state, a party agent was allegedly shot by an opposition party thugs. In Lagos and Rivers states, there were reported incidents of ballot snatching and attacks on voters and INEC officials.
“And also on the various reports of attempts to intimidate voters and INEC officials by party supporters and thugs. These reports were received from states such as Rivers, Delta, Lagos, Kogi and Imo. NHRC monitors reported that in 8% of polling units, accreditation and voting were disrupted for various reasons, including the malfunctioning of election equipment and incidents of violence,” he said.
Speaking on vote buying, he said it was reported in 42 locations across the country by NHRC Monitors, particularly in Lagos, Imo, Sokoto, Jigawa, Edo, Nasarawa, Jigawa and Kogi states.
” Voters were offered money or other incentives to influence their votes,” Ojukwu added.
Generally, he said, it was observed that the conduct of law enforcement and security personnel deployed to ensure a peaceful election was commendable.
“However, the Commission notes the inability of law enforcement and security agents to stop violence at polling units.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure that Nigerians who were disenfranchised on election day are able to vote in the rescheduled elections.
“Disenfranchisement is a violation of the right to vote and could be a major trigger for election violence and impacts on the legitimacy and acceptability of election results. Everything therefore should be done to ensure that Nigerians who trooped out in their millions to vote are afforded the opportunity to do so,” he said.
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