IPCRC sensitises election observers, media personnel

The International Peace and Civil Responsibility Centre has held a one-day training and sensitisation workshop for accredited election observers and media personnel ahead of the Anambra State local government election holding on Saturday, September 28, 2024, across the 21LGs of the state.

The organisation said the programme, held at Mano Hotel & Suites, in Awka, on Thursday, is aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge of the electoral process, voting procedures and their roles in ensuring a peaceful, free, fair and credible election.

Speaking at the event, the president, IPCRC and Coordinator, Accredited Observers, Chris Azor, urged accredited observers to be of good conduct, commit to free, fair, credible and accurate reporting of incidents so as to ensure peaceful Anambra local government election

Azor said, “This is a platform to educate and sensitise election observers and other stakeholders. As accredited observers for the forthcoming Anambra State local government election, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring a free, fair, credible, transparent, and peaceful electoral process.

“Accredited election observers, while playing their role should observe voter verification, voting procedures, counting, tabulation of results, collation and declaration by electoral umpire.

“We pledge to ensure Impartial and independent observation. Adherence to extant electoral laws, rules and guidelines. Promotion of voter education and awareness, observation of voting procedures and counting processes.

“Accurate reporting of incidents, malpractices and irregularities. And utmost good faith and impartiality. The election management body of the Anambra state Independent Electoral Commission has demonstrated full preparedness and commitment to the integrity of the entire exercise.”

Similarly, he urged political parties and candidates to commit to promotion of peaceful conduct, stakeholder engagement and non violence, advising security agencies to maintain neutralty, fairness and impartiality while preserving human rights and rule of law.

The body further urged eligible voters to exercise their franchise peacefully without let or hindrance, while refraining from any act contrary to electoral law and code of conduct.

“Our organisation shall mobilise observers across the state, and set up a Situation Room in Awka, capital city for real time coordination and timely reportage for desired result.

“We call on all stakeholders to be mindful of the long road to this democratic process, after over ten years absence of democracy at the local government level. We are therefore, enjoined to avoid any act that would undermine the process and take us backwards,” Azor added.

Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner in charge of Information and Logistics at ANSIEC, Tony Nnalue, warned election observers not to announce results, insisting that only the electoral body has the exclusive right to announce results.

Nnalue also disclosed that the Commission will not use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System for the local government council elections, but instead, had opted for manual accreditation.

He stated that over 5,720 ad-hoc staff have been trained to conduct the elections across the state’s polling units.

“We will not use BVAS but the manual. BVAS is not reliable; it has distorted the electoral process in Nigeria. We don’t want a situation where election results are tampered with at night in the name of BVAS.

“Elections are not a gift; those who are serious will win. The commission will utilise voter registration data from the Independent National Electoral Commission for the elections,” Nnalue added.