International Observers Identify Loopholes ahead of Febuary Elections

Two foreign election monitoring groups on Tuesday enumerated loopholes in the preparation for next month’s elections by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

THISDAY Newspapers reports that the groups, National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI), also appealed to the commission to bridge the gap after a delegation of both groups concluded a five-day mission to Nigeria.

They also urged various political parties canvassing for people’s votes in the February polls to focus on issue-based campaigns which they said should border on security, economy and governance.

The groups Led by former United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, George Moose, the delegation urged INEC to urgently complete the distribution of permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) to all eligible voters. It also tasked INEC to urgently complete the procurement of card readers and simultaneously communicate relevant information on these issues to the electorate as soon as possible.

The delegation also tasked INEC to undertake what it described as voter education effort to demonstrate to the public the use of new technology such as PVCs and card readers as well as accelerate recruitment and training of polling officials, explore ways to increase voting by internally displaced persons (IDPs) and ensure that those who registered among them are not disenfranchised.

The group tasked the federal government to make all possible efforts to provide adequate security and necessary support for the conduct of the polls.