By INNOCENT OWEH, Abuja

With just few days to the November 6 Anambra gubernatorial election, an election monitoring group, Yiaga Africa has observed that Permanent Voters Card (PVC) have not been given to the 76,104 new eligible voters who recently got registered during the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in the state.

It also observed that while the issuance of the PVC falls under the purview of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, the electoral body has been hindered in doing so because of the volatile security situation in the state.

“We commend INEC on its efforts to distribute permanent voters cards from previous registration exercises. However, Yiaga Africa is worried that, with less than 8 days to the elections, the Commission is yet to commence distribution of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to the 76,104 new eligible voters who recently got registered during the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in the state. This, if not addressed, could potentially disenfranchise eligible voters,” the statement jointly signed by Eze Nwagu, Deputy Board Chair and Cynthia Mbamalu, Director Programs of Yiaga Africa added.

Beyond this, the group noted that there remain critical security concerns with the recent threats by secessionist groups to shut down the region if certain conditions are not met.

This, Yiaga noted has continued to remain a major threat to the election as elections continue to draw nearer.

It also noted that the current volatility of the state has continued to hinder political party campaigns, voter education and mobilization as stakeholders continue to deploy more caution.

“For instance, political parties have resorted to campaign strategies like campaigns at close-door locations, media adverts rather than their traditional outdoor rallies and campaign trails.

“This has widened the existing gap between candidates and prospective voters especially because the avenues for engaging candidates and parties on the agenda is almost non-existent. In addition, is the current rise in the activities of suspected cult groups in the state which is also likely to increase the threat to security in the state”, he stated.

According to the group, the pre-election observation efforts in the fourth reporting period focused on these emerging trends that are likely to impact the conduct of the election.

It noted that the findings for this period however highlight an increase in election preparatory activities by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and a shift in the level of voter education and information campaigns.

Yiaga also noted that their observation revealed that voter information campaigns were conducted in 14 of the 21 local government areas, indicating that there were voter information campaigns targeted at the marginalized communities (women, youths, and persons with disabilities) across most of the LGAs in Anambra.

It said, “With about few days to the Anambra Governorship election, election stakeholders have continued to show determination to ensure credible and peaceful conduct of the election. INEC had on Monday, October 25, 2021, convened a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) on the Anambra Governorship election.

“During the meeting, the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stated that the commission had been assured by the security agencies of a secured environment for the election and he reaffirmed the commission’s confidence in the security agencies to ensure a safe election. (Sunday Independent)

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