On Saturday, the 23rd of February 2019, Nigerians went to the polls to vote for the presidential and national assembly elections. However, reports have emerged of difficulties and frustrations experienced during the voting process, with many voters being disenfranchised.
In Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) Ward 13, Unit 49 in Rumuadaolu, Rivers State, materials did not arrive until 1:30 pm, despite the ban on vehicular movement except for election duties. In Ward 11 Unit 18 of Ahoada West, materials had not arrived by 3 pm, which was past the voting time allowed by the guidelines. Similar issues were experienced in several places, leading to many voters being unable to cast their votes.
In addition to logistical difficulties, there were reports of violence and electoral malpractice across the country. Ballot boxes were snatched by thugs, and voting was disrupted by armed hoodlums who chased away voters. INEC officials either refused to upload the results sheets on the INEC central server or changed the figures at the collation centres.
Nigerians have expressed frustration and disappointment at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its handling of the elections. Some have accused the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, of compromising the election by declaring someone who failed as the winner of the Presidential elections. There were assurances by INEC that the BVAS would transmit the election results from the polling unit to the IREV, making the process credible, but this promise was not kept.
There were also reports of late arrival of INEC staff and failure of BIVAS machines, which slowed down the process and left many voters waiting. In some cases, INEC staff arrived without Form EC8A to record results at the polling unit. INEC failed to upload results on iReV and adopted manual transmission of results as against what was agreed. These flaws have been described as posing a cataclysmic threat to the survival of democracy and the very peace and existence of the nation Nigeria.
Many Nigerians have expressed doubts about the sincerity of INEC, with some accusing the organization of using technology to deceive voters. There are calls for INEC officials to be checkmated to prevent another instance of electoral malpractice. Overall, many Nigerians are frustrated with INEC’s handling of the elections, and there are concerns about the credibility of the organization in conducting free, fair, and credible elections in the future
