The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has released its report in respect of the Bayelsa and Kogi States gubernatorial elections and the re-run election for Kogi West Senatorial District which was conducted pursuant to an order of the Court of Appeal. The Report was compiled by the NBA Election Working Group.

According to the report which was signed by Mazi Afam Osigwe, Esq, the Chairman of the Working Group and made available to TheNigeraLawyer (TNL), At most of the polling stations in both States, polls did not commence at the scheduled time – 8 am. The delay was attributed to the late arrival of the INEC officials and materials. In Otuoke of Bayelsa State, no INEC official was seen as at 8:30 am. In Elefie community of Bayelsa State, material and personnel did not arrive as at 11am. The performance of the smart card readers although not wholly unsatisfactory, raised concerns and provided sufficient basis for anxiety among the electorate. In some polling units, the smart card readers malfunctioned. In contravention of INEC Regulations and Guidelines, INEC officials were not seen directing voters to indicate phone numbers and thumbprints on the registers of voters before allowing them to vote in instances of voters whose fingerprints were not authenticated by the card reader. Presiding officers resorted to manual accreditation of voters to enable registered voters cast their votes. There was also a lack of technical assistance in polling units where the smart card readers malfunctioned and in most polling units, backup card readers were not available.

On Voters’ Register, there were complaints of non-display of some voters’ names in certain voter’s register in Kogi State. It was also observed that in many polling units in Lokoja the voters register was either not pasted or was being pasted at the time polling ought to have commenced. turnout was very impressive across polling units in Bayelsa and Kogi States as most voters were eager to cast their votes despite the envisaged fear and apprehension of violence occasioned by the pre-election buildup and projections. As early as 7:10 am, voters were at their polling units. Persons With Disabilities (PWD), the elderly and pregnant women were given priority in voting. Gender balance was adequately taken care of as there was a great turnout of women. In most cases, voters in some polling units organized themselves in an orderly manner, after getting their serial numbers from the voters’ register and awaiting the commencement of voting for a seamless voting process.

On electoral violence, There were several reports of electoral violence across Bayelsa and Kogi States. Thugs and hoodlums invaded voting centers to snatch polling materials, harass, molest and intimidate voters and in some cases, INEC officials. The voting process was interfered with as cases of voter intimidation were seen. Armed men in Police uniform carted away ballot boxes across polling units in Lokoja. The reported cited a lot of instances of violence. Electoral malpractices were also recorded.

On security arrangements, it was observed that security personnel posted to voting centers generally arrived on time. At the voting centers where the security personnel was seen, they were observed to be of good conduct, professional, cordial and gender balanced. Worthy of mention is the general non-interference of security personnel in the rural and urban parts of Bayelsa State even as they were heavily armed. However, Police personnel who participated in the electoral process in Kogi State did not fully display the expected level of neutrality and professionalism. The use of a police helicopter to shoot tear-gas and in some cases fire shots over polling units, were seen as actions intended to intimidate and infuse fear in voters as well as disrupt the voting process. In cases where there were infractions of electoral laws or threats of violence or actual violence, it was observed that the police personnel and other security personnel at the polling units stayed aloof and did nothing to prevent or stem those infractions and/or acts of violence.