The International Peace and Civil Responsibility Centre (IPCRC) hosted a one-day training workshop for accredited election observers and media personnel in anticipation of the Anambra State local government elections scheduled for September 28, 2024. The training took place at Mano Hotel & Suites in Awka and aimed to enhance the understanding of participants regarding the electoral process, voting procedures, and the crucial roles they will play in fostering a peaceful, free, fair, and credible election. The event gathered various stakeholders to reinforce the importance of responsible election observation and media presence during the electoral process.
Chris Azor, the president of IPCRC and Coordinator of Accredited Observers, spoke at the workshop, emphasizing the need for observers to conduct themselves appropriately and commit to responsible reporting of incidents. He urged participants to observe key electoral steps including voter verification, voting procedures, the counting of votes, and the declaration of results by electoral officials. Azor reinforced the organization’s dedication to impartial observations and compliance with electoral laws, underscoring the necessity of accurate incident reporting and promoting voter education and awareness.
In addition to the advocacy for responsible conduct from observers, Azor called upon political parties and candidates to engage in peaceful campaigning and to uphold a culture of non-violence. He highlighted the critical role of security agencies in maintaining neutrality and fairness while upholding human rights and the rule of law during the electoral process. The IPCRC also encouraged eligible voters to exercise their rights peacefully, avoiding any actions that could contravene electoral regulations and the established code of conduct.
The organization plans to mobilize observers throughout the state and establish a Situation Room in Awka to ensure real-time coordination and timely reporting of election-related activities. Azor reminded stakeholders of the lengthy journey towards democracy, emphasizing the need for caution to avoid compromising the electoral process, especially following a decade-long absence of local government elections in Anambra. He stressed the importance of cooperation among all participants to safeguard the integrity and progress of the democratic process.
Tony Nnalue, the Commissioner for Information and Logistics at the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), also addressed participants at the workshop. He issued a warning to election observers, stressing that only the electoral commission is authorized to announce election results, underscoring the importance of strictly following established protocols. Nnalue revealed that the upcoming elections would not utilize the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), instead opting for manual accreditation due to concerns over the reliability of BVAS in prior elections.
Nnalue explained that more than 5,720 trained ad-hoc staff would oversee polling units across the state. He further elaborated on the decision to refrain from using BVAS, asserting that it had previously caused disruptions within the electoral process. By returning to manual accreditation, Nnalue indicated that the commission seeks to mitigate the risks of election result manipulation, thereby reinforcing the election’s integrity. He stated unequivocally that elections cannot be taken for granted and that serious candidates must prove their mettle to secure victory, relying on voter registration data from the Independent National Electoral Commission for the upcoming elections.
