The Osun State governorship election has been marred by dozens of reported security incidents and hundreds of electoral offences and irregularities, according to preliminary observations from election monitors deployed across the state.
A total of 38 security incidents were recorded across 726 polling units monitored during the election, while 323 cases of electoral offences and irregularities were documented as voting progressed.
The monitoring exercise covered all 30 local government areas of the state, with hundreds of accredited observers deployed to assess the conduct of the election and report developments from polling units...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Among the security incidents recorded were 25 cases of alleged thuggery, 12 attacks on electoral officials and nine cases involving alleged intimidation of voters by security personnel.
The observers also documented a wide range of electoral irregularities. Vote trading accounted for 103 of the reported cases, making it the most frequently recorded electoral offence during the monitoring period.
There were also 85 cases involving the exposure of ballot papers, 31 incidents of obstruction of voters and 38 cases of campaigning at polling units. In addition, 28 cases involving alleged inducement of polling and security officials were recorded.
Other reported offences included 14 cases of voter impersonation, 12 cases of multiple voting and seven cases involving alleged misconduct by election officials.
The observers clarified that the figure of 323 electoral offences does not mean that 323 separate polling units were affected, as more than one offence was recorded at some polling locations.
Specific cases of alleged voter intimidation by security personnel were also highlighted at polling units in Ejigbo and Osogbo. The reports have added to concerns about the need for security agencies to remain neutral and protect voters throughout the electoral process.
Despite the reported irregularities, the election monitoring exercise also recorded several positive developments. A large proportion of the polling units observed had electoral officials and the required sensitive and non sensitive materials available early in the morning.
However, some polling units experienced delays in opening. While 608 of the 726 observed polling units had opened with the required materials between 7:30am and 8:00am, others commenced voting later due to delays involving personnel and materials.
A number of polling units opened between 8:00am and 8:30am, while others did not begin operations until later in the morning. One polling unit was still unopened as of 11:00am because electoral personnel and materials had not arrived.
Technology also presented challenges during the exercise, with 58 BVAS devices reportedly malfunctioning at the polling units monitored. Of those devices, 41 were subsequently fixed, allowing accreditation to resume.
Voter participation was nevertheless described as encouraging, with women accounting for about 59 percent of observed turnout. Persons with disabilities also recorded significant participation, with more than 70 percent turnout observed at 12 designated polling units.
Women also represented a substantial proportion of the electoral officials deployed across the monitored polling locations.
The monitoring exercise also identified the spread of misinformation during the election. Fact checkers reportedly verified 11 false claims relating to issues such as alleged payments to electoral officials, arrests and underage voting. Other claims concerning alleged shootings and disruption of voting were still being investigated at the time of the preliminary assessment.
The figures provide an early picture of the conduct of the Osun election, but they do not represent the final assessment. A comprehensive post election report is expected after the completion of result collation and the declaration of the winner.
Political parties and candidates have also been urged to handle grievances through lawful and judicial channels rather than resorting to violence or actions capable of disrupting the democratic process.
The reported incidents have once again highlighted some of the challenges confronting Nigeria’s electoral system, particularly vote buying, intimidation, election related violence, technical difficulties and the need for stronger compliance with electoral laws.
As the collation process continues, attention will now shift toward the final results and the overall credibility of the election. The authorities and political actors face the responsibility of ensuring that the remaining stages of the process are conducted peacefully and transparently.
For voters across Osun State, the expectation remains that their votes will be accurately counted and reflected in the final outcome, while any genuine complaints arising from the election will be addressed through the appropriate legal channels.
