Enugu-based NGO African Network for Peace and Good Governance (ANPG) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that voting materials and officials arrive promptly at polling centres on election days.
ANPG also urged INEC to adopt measures to ensure the functionality of the Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the polls.
In a statement signed by ANPG's executive director Bede Aneke on Friday, the group expressed concern that reports of late arrivals of INEC officials and materials, malfunctioning smart card readers, and late accreditation had marred previous elections and disenfranchised some voters.
ANPG called on INEC to ensure that all eligible voters are able to cast their ballots without hindrance.
Aneke noted that since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999, the country has conducted six general elections and that reports of the late arrival of INEC officials and voting materials have been a problem in each poll.
In the 2015 general elections, for instance, polling started at 8:00 a.m. with authentication of PVCs, fingerprints, and voter register verification.
Aneke emphasised that ensuring the prompt arrival of INEC officials and materials at polling centres is crucial to the credibility of the electoral process.
He urged INEC to develop effective measures to overcome challenges that have undermined previous elections.
The group called on all stakeholders, including political parties, security agencies, and civil society organisations, to collaborate with INEC in ensuring that the electoral process is transparent and credible.
ANPG is a non-profit organisation that works to promote peace, good governance, and development in Nigeria.
It is concerned with ensuring that elections are free and fair and that the electoral process reflects the will of the people.
Its call for the prompt arrival of INEC officials and materials at polling centres is part of broader efforts to ensure the credibility of the electoral process and enhance public confidence in the outcome of elections.
“But (the) majority of the polling units commenced the process behind schedule and some even at 10:30 a.m., two hours late,” said Mr Aneke.
He cited an example with the Anambra governorship election. YIAGA Africa, an election observer, noted that 28 per cent of the polling units commenced accreditation as scheduled, and voting began at 10:30 a.m.
According to the group, the late arrival of election officials, materials, accreditation, and voting had denied thousands of voters the right to exercise their civic responsibility.
While commending INEC for the introduction of BVAS, the director tasked the commission to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible polls.
(NAN)