The CLEEN Foundation has released its interim report on the conduct of security personnel during the Edo State Governorship Election held on Saturday, 21st September 2024. The election, which was marked by a heavy deployment of law enforcement officers, saw significant efforts to maintain peace and order, though vote buying marred the integrity of the process in several areas.
According to the foundation’s report, a total of 49,433 security personnel were deployed, including 35,000 from the Nigeria Police Force, 6,433 from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and 8,000 military personnel. These officers were stationed across the state to ensure a smooth and secure election. CLEEN Foundation’s Election Security Support Centre (ESSC) monitored security operations through a network of trained observers across the 18 local government areas.
Observers noted that the vast majority of security personnel arrived at polling stations before the official commencement time of 8:30 AM, with some officers seen waiting for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to arrive. This punctuality was commended, with the foundation describing it as a positive step towards improving election security.
The report also highlighted the neutrality of the security personnel, with 95% of CLEEN’s observers praising their professionalism in managing polling units and resolving incidents. Despite this, the report pointed to troubling instances of vote buying, which were witnessed in multiple polling stations. In Uhunmwode LGA, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials arrested a female vote buyer. However, the report noted that security officers stationed at the polling unit had turned a blind eye to the illegal activity until the EFCC arrived. This lack of coordination between security agencies raised concerns about the effectiveness of their joint operations.
The presence of armed personnel at polling units was minimal, with most units being monitored by unarmed security officers. However, in isolated cases, armed officers were reported, though their behavior remained orderly and did not disrupt the election process. In terms of voter safety, 90% of those surveyed expressed a sense of security at the polling units. However, there were reports of violence in specific areas, including an incident at Edokpolo Grammar School where political thugs attacked voters, undermining the overall feeling of safety for some.
While the election was mostly peaceful, issues like vote trading continued to plague the process. CLEEN’s observers reported instances of political agents engaging in vote buying in the presence of security personnel, who often failed to act. The report also noted delays caused by heavy rainfall in some areas, which impacted the start of voting in various polling units. Only 40% of polling units opened on time. Additionally, some INEC adhoc staff refused to commence work until they received payment for their training allowances, further contributing to the delays.
On a more positive note, the Bimodal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) was reported to have functioned effectively in most polling units, facilitating the seamless accreditation of voters and transmission of results. By the time CLEEN compiled its interim report, 2,122 polling unit results had been uploaded to the INEC viewing portal, out of a total of 4,519 expected.
The CLEEN Foundation commended the efforts of the security personnel for maintaining order throughout the election. However, the foundation stressed the need for improved intelligence and vigilance, particularly as the process moves towards the collation of results. It called for better coordination between security agencies to prevent further disruptions by political thugs.
CLEEN also recommended the investigation and prosecution of electoral offenders, especially those involved in vote buying and political violence, to set an example ahead of future elections. Additionally, the foundation urged INEC to maintain its impartiality and resist any undue influence from political actors, as the collation and announcement of results nears completion.
Despite the challenges, CLEEN Foundation expressed optimism that with improved synergy between security agencies and electoral officials, the remaining phases of the Edo election could conclude peacefully and credibly. The foundation pledged to continue monitoring developments as the results are finalized, ensuring that the will of the people is respected.