CTA CALLS FOR PEACE IN THE ELECTIONS
March 18, 2023
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In preparations for tomorrow's elections, an independent civic organization that has been actively involved in the observation of the Nigerian electoral process known as the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), has set up an Election Day Situation Room in Asaba for the March 18th Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections to receive reports in real time from the field observers.
This was stated by the CTA's Executive Director, Engr. Faith Nwadishi in her speech, at a Press Conference organized by the advocacy group today at the Golden Tulip Hotels Asaba.
She said CTA also insisted on the continued deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) which has proven to be a game changer in the conduct of the elections.
Flanked by other Directors of CTA, including Prof. Alex Asigbo, Macdonald Ekemezie, Babatunde Oluajo, and Dr Emeka Ononamadu,
Ex-REC, Enugu State, Nwadishi disclosed that CTA, an accredited Domestic Observer Group deployed 2000 observers that would be sending in reports in real time, making it possible for CTA to have firsthand information as to what happened on election day.
She added that the deployment of trained election observers cut across the length and breadth of the country, including the 25 LGAs that make up Delta State. And that these observers have been trained on Election Observation and adherence to INEC Election Guidelines.
According to Nwadishi "The CTA encourages citizen to exercise their civic responsibilities by voting candidates of their choice. They should remember that the Gubernatorial and Houses of Assembly candidates are the ones closer to the grassroots, hence utmost care should be taken in choosing those who occupy such positions".
While saying that the group still believe in the ability of INEC to deliver a free, fair, credible and conclusive election, CTA expressed concerned about the preparations of the Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC) logistical arrangements.
CTA called on INEC that the hiccups that nearly marred the Presidential and National Assembly Elections on February 25 should not for any reason rear its ugly head duriPEACE I1N 1g the Governorship and State Assembly Elections tomorrow. That all arrangements to move personnel and materials must be topnotch.
Nwadishi said the CTA commended INEC for initiating the process for sanctioning some of its errant election officials for misconduct in the last elections. That this was not enough as
expected that more Electoral Officers and Adhoc staff should be sanctioned.
"Integrity should be the watch word for INEC staff. Nigerians do not expect anything less. INEC as an institution and its staff must live above board". Nwadishi added her CTA Press Conference speech.Expressing worries that the level of electoral violence and voter suppression noticed in the last election left a sore taste in our electoral bud, CTA said It was appalling
