CSO: Women turnout was low compared to previous elections

The Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), a civil society organisation (CSO), has released a post-election report on the governorship and state assembly elections.

Mufuliat Fijabi, head of NWTF gender and election watch room (GEW), said the elections were “mostly peaceful in all the states where observation took place” except in Lagos, Kano, Rivers, and Adamawa where there were reported cases of violence and destruction of poll materials.

The CSO said the situation affected the turnout and participation of women in the polls.

“GEW observers reported that the situation was mostly calm at the start of polls, but as accreditation and voting progressed the situation deteriorated,” the group said.

“Over 70 percent of polls observed opened before 9am. However, there were some instances of late opening of polls.

“For example, in Rivers, PU 32-07-08-006, School Hall Green Iwoma II, INEC officials experienced logistic challenges due to the low tide of the river, this resulted in the late opening of this polling unit.”

The CSO said voter apathy marred the elections, noting that observers reported low turnout of women in the governorship election “as most voters stayed away from the polling units because of the perceived atmosphere of insecurity”.

“In some States, NWTF GEW observed that women turnout was lower compared to the already low turnout recorded in the last presidential election,” the statement said.

“In Lagos, the Oro traditional festival in some parts contributed to voter apathy. However, in some states, a sizeable number of women came out to participate in the elections.”

The CSO alleged that its observers were intimidated by security personnel and party agents in some polling units.

“That INEC should hold its partners in the planning and conduct of elections accountable for failure to deliver on their agreement,” NWTF said.

“That the trend of incumbent governors banning NGO observers is a bad practice that should not be encouraged especially when INEC has issued accreditation to NGOs to observe elections and a definitive legal statement by INEC must be issued to stop future reoccurrence.

“That with voter apathy, democracy is gradually becoming a product of only a few who turn out on election day to elect their representatives. All electoral stakeholders should pay attention to this and work together to reduce drastically voter apathy in future elections.

“GEW calls on all stakeholders to uphold the rights of female candidates in the 2023 General elections and condemns all efforts and attempts to truncate the emergence of female candidates in the 2023 general elections. Nigeria cannot achieve inclusive democracy without female participation.

“That security agencies need to do more to maintain peace and protect the lives of all in an election process.”