Yiaga Africa, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has said it will expose any manipulation of the results of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra if they differ from those recorded at the polling units.
Chairperson, Yiaga Africa’s 2025 Anambra Election Mission, Dr Asmau Maikudi, stated this on Thursday in Awka while briefing newsmen ahead of the poll.
Maikudi urged all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, fair, inclusive and credible electoral process.
She said that the group would also confirm the outcome of results that reflected ballots cast at the polling units.
She identified three key benchmarks for assessing the credibility of the election to include, efficiency of logistics; integrity of procedures; and impartiality of security agencies.
“Drawing from past electoral experiences and recent bye elections, these three tests will serve as a litmus test for public trust in INEC, security agencies and political actors.
“Failure to meet these standards could further erode voter confidence and deepen the legitimacy crisis in Nigeria’s democracy,” she said.
Maikudi said that a total of 687 observers, drawn from various civil society organisations would be deployed across the state under the Election Observation Hub.
According to her, the Hub comprises Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre, Centre for Media and Society, Nigeria Women Trust Fund, ElectHER and TAF Africa.
“Yiaga Africa is deploying its ‘Watching the Vote’ project as part of the broader observation hub, supported by the European Union under the EU-Support to Democratic Governance Project.
“The observers will work in coordinated clusters covering election integrity and results verification.
“They will also cover disability inclusion, gender participation, peace building, misinformation tracking, logistics observation and real-time data reporting,” she said.
Maikudi urged the INEC to ensure the integrity of the election by guaranteeing the uniform and uncompromised use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) across all polling units.
“INEC must strengthen oversight of logistics by strictly supervising deployment of personnel and materials and ensuring transport companies meet contractual obligations.
“The Commission should also provide timely and clear information on voting arrangements in Ihiala LGA, where voting has been consolidated due to insecurity, to avoid confusion and disenfranchisement,” she added.
On security, Maikudi stressed the need for neutrality and professionalism, urging security agencies to exclude vigilante and other unconventional outfits from election duties.
“Security operations must be non-selective, avoiding intimidation or harassment of political actors, voters, accredited observers and journalists.
“They should prioritise intelligence-led deployment in flashpoints to deter violence, reassure voters and prevent escalation of conflicts,” she said.(NAN)