By Emmanuel Onwusoro, Ado-Ekiti
The Nigerian Human Rights Community (NIHRCO) has urged the National National Assembly and the National Independent Electoral Commission, (INEC) to collaborate with the various State Independent Electoral Commissions (SEICs), to ensure that Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, (BVAS) is deployed in local government council elections.
The Programmes Officer of NIHRCO, Mr. Fred Ojinika, made the call in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State while assessing the just-concluded local government polls in the state which the organization monitored.
He advocated that the National Assembly should create special intervention funds to assist state electoral commissions to meet democratic obligations in line with fiscal support given by the federal government to the INEC.
Mr Ojinika said that “at this time that Nigeria faces internal threats to democracy and growing concerns about public trust, it is important to deepen democracy and strengthen governance at the grassroots”.
He enjoined the state governments that have not conducted council polls to do so, even as he believes that Ekiti needs more polling units given the growing population and the increasing number of new settlements as observed during the election.
The nongovernmental organisation said using BVAS for national elections is good but that the same technology should be used in local government elections which may require special funds for SIECs to enable the body develop the technology that will broaden popular participation, ensure real time transmission of results, taking local government elections to a higher level.
NIHRCO commended the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission, (EKSIEC) for the early arrival of officials and electoral materials coupled with the effective monitoring of the process.
It pointed out that the election might not be perfect,but it represented a remarkable achievement in building sustainable democratic culture in Nigeria.
According to the group, the election had its own strength, opportunities and shortcomings that should be addressed to deepen democracy and people’s representation.
“We commend what appears to be the high moral ground of the governor of the State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, who earlier embarked on a non-violence campaign across the state, using the extensive media space ahead of the Local Government election”, it stated.
The coalition said deliberate policy of non-violence by state actors is essential for sustainable development.
The NIHRCO posited that Nigeria should be encouraged to show interest in local government elections, adding that if Nigeria gets it right at the local government level, it will be easier to conduct credible elections at the national level.
