Thread by @CDDWestAfrica

PRESS STATEMENT

September 27, 2018

CDD Faults Ethical Lapses in Osun Rerun Poll.

#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
@AfricaDemocracy
@inecnigeria
@Int_IDEA
@channelstv
@ChidiOdinkalu
#NigeriaDecides2019
#OSUNDECIDES2018

CDD has carefully observed the governorship rerun election in Osun State with a conclusion that the conduct of some key stakeholders clearly ran contrary to democratic norms & standards, as well as best practices in the conduct of credible #elections.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun

CDD notes that a number of the incidents recorded during the poll have undermined the sanctity of the vote and the overall credibility of the electoral process.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
@inecnigeria
@daily_trust
@KDI_ng
#NigeriaDecides2019
@HamzyCODE
@SituationRoomNg

Specifically, CDD frowns at the conduct of the security agents as well as political party stalwarts who took steps that were clearly inimical to the conduct of a free, fair and credible election.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
@inecnigeria

CDD observers reported several cases of denial of access to Polling Units to observers, and even voters.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
@inecnigeria
@AfricaDemocracy
#NigeriaDecides2019

CDD field observers deployed to observe the process and ensure its credibility, especially in Orolu and Osogbo LGAs, were intimidated, threatened and in some cases arrested by security agencies.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
@inecnigeria
@AfricaDemocracy
#NigeriaDecides2019

Credible reports from our field observers showed that despite being duly accredited by @inecnigeria, several of the observers and journalists were stopped from observing the process.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
@inecnigeria
#NigeriaDecides2019

CDD observers reported palpable tension in Ifon, Orolu LGAs due to the high-handed conduct of the security agents who seemed bent to sway the vote the way of certain partisan interests.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
@inecnigeria
#NigeriaDecides2019

At Ajegunle Roundabout, which leads to Polling Unit 003 Ward 9 Gbogbo Primary School in Orolu LGA, security personnel mounted barricades to obstruct observers and deny them access to the polling unit.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
@inecnigeria
#NigeriaDecides2019

Observers who attempted to carry out their legitimate duties were arrested & taken to nearby police station. They were only released after being denied the opportunity to keep an eye on the process so as to guarantee its credibility.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
#NigeriaDecides2019

For instance, a CDD observer, Kemi Busari was arrested by the @PoliceNG on the pretext that he took pictures around a polling unit.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
#NigeriaDecides2019
@inecnigeria
@HassanIdayat

The @PoliceNG officer’s stance contradicts statement of INEC, which made it clear that voters, were allowed to go with their phones to PUs but not to polling booths after ballot paper must have been issued to an accredited voter.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
#NigeriaDecides2019

This particular incident clearly demonstrates the fact that the law enforcement agents were not properly informed about or deliberately ignored @inecnigeria directive, which banned d use of phones in the voting cubicle, & not the PUs.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
#NigeriaDecides2019

In the face of the intimidation and unjust arrests, observers forced to leave the Polling Units.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
#NigeriaDecides2019
@inecnigeria

CDD also observed attempts by members of the security forces to prevent some voters who allegedly belong to opposition party from accessing PU012 Olode Ward 07 in Ife-south LG, even after showing their PVCs.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
#NigeriaDecides2019
@inecnigeria

Despite efforts by @inecnigeria and civic group to ensure violence-free polls, some political actors mobilized thugs and hoodlums to intimidate voters, journalists and observers.
#Osunrerun2018
#OsunRerun
#NigeriaDecides2019

Mr. Chang Mantu, a senior @PoliceNG officer involved in the coordination of security in #OsunReRun explained in Osogbo that there was an attempt by some party men disguising as observers to gain access to Orolu in the early hours of Thursday.
#Osunrerun2018
#NigeriaDecides2019

He said they were arrested by the @PoliceNG. According to him, they loaded in a bus and when they were screened, they were found to be members of a political party.
#Osunrerun2018
#NigeriaDecides2019
#OsunRerun

He explained the development was the reason why there were restrictions into the area as it was difficult for security officials to know those who were genuine observers and journalists.
#Osunrerun2018
#NigeriaDecides2019
#OsunRerun
@SituationRoomNg
@womenfundng
@wipfng

Our observer also reported that election was disrupted in PU 17, Ward 5 Osogbo LGA as a result of sporadic shooting by some hoodlums.
#Osunrerun2018
#NigeriaDecides2019
#OsunRerun

In terms of d sanctity of d vote, our observers reported over 5 attempts by impostors to vote with PVCs from other Wards at PU 012, ward 07, Ife-south LGA. These attempts were unsuccessful, they nonetheless reflect d kind of impunity, which undermines d credibility of d process.

In the light of these anti- #democratic acts, which have undermined the sanctity of the ballot therefore, we hold strongly the view that the rerun poll of Thursday, September 27, 2018 does not meet up with the minimum standards for free, fair & credible elections.
#OsunReRun

It falls short of global best practices in democratic elections which Nigeria aspires towards. The acts of intimidation by security forces and the violence unleashed by party thugs are suggestive of an attempt to compromise the integrity the poll.
#OsunRerun
#OsunReRun2018

Coming as the last off cycle election before the 2019 general election, the conduct of the security agencies, politicians and their supporters are sources of concern to strengthening our democratic process.
#OsunRerun
#OsunReRun2018
#NigeriaDecides2019
@cleenfoundation
@PLACNG

We recommend an urgent investigation of the roles and conduct of the security forces and political thugs in the Osun rerun with a view to sanctioning infractions and preventing a repeat during the 2019 polls.
#OsunRerun
#OsunReRun2018
#NigeriaDecides2019
@cleenfoundation
@PLACNG