Nigeria elections: Violence, voter intimidation, mar process

Voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, late arrival of officials characterise Nigeria elections

Nigeria elections that were held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, were defined by the late arrival of election officials, intimation of voters, and ballot box snatching.

During the Saturday elections, Nigerians across the country went to the polls to elect a new President and National Assembly members.

However, the Nigeria elections process was marred by the late arrival of election officials and materials. Voting was supposed to start by 8:30 AM and close by 2:30 PM. But in most parts of the country, voting did not commence before 11:00 AM and continued until around 10:00 PM at night.

More so, there were voter intimidations, and pockets of violence in several parts of Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, and Edo States. Some led to the loss of lives and the disruption of the voting process.

The violence forced the Independent National Electoral Commission to postpone elections in 141 polling units in Bayelsa.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has shifted voting in 141 polling units across four local governments in Bayelsa to Sunday after thugs attacked voters in the affected areas and disrupted the process.

An error in ballot paper printing which led to the omission of the Labour Party’s logo also forced the INEC to postpone voting to March 11 in Esan North, Esan South, and Igueben areas of Edo State.

Stolen BVAS

The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, stated while briefing journalists on the situation report in Abuja that some BVAS machines were snatched from electoral officials, adding that the insecurity in some states led to the delay experienced in some areas.

Mahmood, who said polling units in Niger, Delta, and Katsina States were attacked by thugs and eight BVAS were snatched by thugs, noted that three of the BVAS machines were later recovered.

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He said, “Another contributing factor to the late opening of polling units is the perennial insecurity in the country. For instance, we could not deploy early enough to Alawa in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

“Bandits launched an attack, not necessarily on INEC offices or facilities, but in the area. With the advice of the security agencies, we waited a while, but I am happy to say that we were able to deploy to Alawa, and voting in that location is ongoing as we speak.

Delta mayhem

“Similarly, in the Oshimili LGA of Delta State, thugs attacked a polling unit and two BVAS machines were lost in the process. But again, determined that the election must continue, we were able to replace the stolen BVAS machine, and reinforce security agencies and voting contained in that polling unit.

“Similarly, in Safana LGA of Katsina State, thugs attacked one of our voting locations and snatched six BVAS machines. But again, we were able to recover and use the spare BVAS machines and reinforce security for voting to continue in that location. Happily, security agencies have recovered the BVAS machines but three are still held by the thugs.”

Yakubu noted that the attacks by these thugs were targeted at the BVAS.

She voted while bleeding from stab wounds

On Dipolubi Street in the Surulere area of Lagos, a woman, Efidi Bina Jennifer, was allegedly stabbed by thugs loyal to a political party at the polling unit. She, however, came back to cast her vote after being given first aid treatment and wearing heavy bandages on her face and dripping with blood.

Her picture and video went viral on social media with some Nigerians commending her resolve and raising money for her.

Her younger sister, Bina said, “We have taken her to the hospital but she is resting now. We have not reported it to the police but they visited her at the hospital.”

Ballot boxes stolen near Oba Elegushi’s palace

A polling unit outside the Oba Elegushi Palace at Ikate in Eti-Osa, Lekki, was attacked by thugs.

The hoodlums carted away ballot boxes and chased away electoral officers.

A resident of the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “The information I’m getting is that violence erupted outside the Oba’s palace.

“The ballot boxes were snatched and everybody ran away. Thugs are still hanging around the area.”

Also, a popular tweep, Samuel Otigba, who voted in the polling unit inside the palace wrote on Twitter, “The vote outside the palace was scattered by area boys. Ballot box jacked (hijacked). (Thugs) chased the presiding officer away.

“They just physically assaulted @EditiEffiong because he was videoing the whole thing. He tried running into the palace when they saw and chased him but they locked the gate. This is madness. The police officers here just stood & did nothing. They took his phone & deleted the video.

“Was outside when they chased and assaulted @EditiEffiong, tried recording but they are beating anyone recording here & taking your phone if they spot you. Area dey hot.”

Additional reporting from Punch