THE Community Life Project (CLP) has advised the Federal Government to review the legal framework for electronic accreditation and voting (e-voting) in subsequent elections in order to promote electoral transparency and accountable governance.
The advise was given in a communiqué issued at the end of a One-Day Post Election Conference on the 2011 elections held by the CLP, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
It commended the commitment and resilience demonstrated by Nigerians during the 2011 elections, describing it as an indication that citizens were indeed eager for knowledge and willing to participate in the electoral process in order to ensure credible polls.
According to the communiqué, Nigerians bought in into the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan and INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega to conduct credible, free and fair elections.
The CLP also commended the efforts and the co-operation between civil society, INEC and security agencies during the 2011 elections.
The group said: “The setting up of situation room by INEC enabled it to monitor what was happening on the field and communicate with security agencies for intervention. The large-scale use of different types of media – both traditional and new media (radio, television, TV dramas, jingles, new media, bulk sms messaging, newspapers) helped a lot in bringing credibility to the electoral process. In particular, social media helped during the elections to expose irregularities and bring about quick intervention”.
It noted that a lot was done well by INEC to facilitated the success of the elections, including “systematic training of staff; the establishment of the Inter-Agency co-ordinating committee on election security; comprehensive planning; citizen/CSO participation and social media even though, there were challenges with internal processes, deployment and ICT.
“In addition, although display of voters register was not adequately done before the 2011 elections, the open and instant declaration of results enhanced confidence and credibility in the electoral process”.
The CLP noted that the survey of security during the April, 2011 elections indicated that there was a “high level of performance especially in the areas of punctuality (59.3 %); deployment (74%); approachability (91%); impartiality (86.3%); perception of safety and security (84.6%) and overall conduct of security agencies (80%).”
Despite the unfavourable occurrences in several states, it stated that the use of NYSC members as ad hoc staff contributed immensely to the success of the elections and helped to reduce rigging.
The communiqué added: “Logistics is key in ensuring security during elections. Whenever there are logistical challenges in terms of late arrival of materials and officials and incomplete or insufficient electoral materials, security is challenged.”