Bauchi election observers okay guber result amidst call for cancellation
By Charly Agwam – Bauchi
Some foreign and domestic observers and Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSO) have adjudged the March 18, 2023 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections in Bauchi State as free, fair and credible.
The verdict was given by the forum of accredited Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by Ambassador Charity Erhire, who explained that the forum is a group of registered organisations accredited to observe the process of the 2023 general elections.
She told journalists on Wednesday in Bauchi that the gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections were conducted in an atmosphere of civility.
“The distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive material for the election was adequate and materials and electoral officials arrived in most of the polling units on time.
“There was adequate security arrangement which culminated to smooth peaceful conduct of the election. The election commenced in most of the polling unit in a record time, though there were a few cases of late arrival of materials to some LGAs polling unit due to the difficult terrain in some LGAs.
“There was impressive turnout of voters in most of the polling units where electorate came out en-mas to cast. The votes and elect the candidates of their choice. Accreditation and voting was carried out simultaneously and on time
“We also observed that the election was conducted in peaceful and conducive atmosphere and all the political parties that participated in the section had their party agents in most of the noting units especially APC, PDP, Labour Party and NNPP,” she said.
The leader of the observer group added, “We wish to state categorically that the final results as was subsequently announced was free, fair, credible, transparent and war adhered strictly to all international best practices. We state without fear of contradiction that the coalition and announcement of the result of the election as conducted by the Independent National Independent Election Commission (INEC).
“Finally, we also witnessed that the collation and announcement was devoid of any major violence or malpractice.
“Therefore winners must be magnanimous in victory while losers must accept defeat with dignity. The process was generally peaceful, transparent, tree, fair and credible.
“The CSOs group wishes to appreciate the security officials, the INEC staff, all the ad-hoc staff, all the political parties, other stakeholders, traditional rulers, and religious leaders for their cooperation towards the success of the just concluded Governorship and the State Assembly election.”
Meanwhile, the candidate of the APC, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar has called for cancellation of the gubernatorial election due to what he called election malpractice in some specific areas of the state.