Interim Statement on The Conduct of Enugu State Local Government Elections. Enugu, September 21, 2024
Press Statement
Enugu, September 21, 2024 - As the Local Government Area (LGA) elections are ongoing, 120 observers trained by ActionAid Nigeria have been deployed across Enugu State’s 17 LGAs and 260 wards. This effort is in partnership with the South Saharan Development Organization (SSDO) and the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) to report on the conduct of the elections.
OBSERVATION
Arrival of ENSIEC Officials and Materials: The Enugu Local Government elections were marred by widespread delays in the arrival of ENSIEC officials and materials. While a few locations, such as Uzo Uwani, received materials and officials promptly before 9:00 AM, most polling units experienced significant delays, with ENSIEC officials arriving between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Some areas, such as Enugu North and Awgu, faced severe challenges, including incomplete materials, particularly missing result sheets, and a late start to voting. In locations like Obiagu Primary School in Enugu North, conflicts erupted due to incidents of multiple voting, while areas such as Aninri and Udi reported a total absence of officials and materials. Despite these setbacks, peaceful accreditation and voting were observed in select locations like Uzo Uwani and Oghe 1. According to the observation report, only 60% of polling units were open by 11:45 AM.
Opening of the Polls: The opening of polls during the Enugu LG elections was marked by significant delays across most polling units, with only a few locations starting on time. Uzo Uwani had the earliest commencement of accreditation and voting by 10:20 AM, following the arrival of election materials at 8:45 AM. However, in most instances, polling units such as Enugu East (Obinagu Village Square) and Enugu North (New Haven Primary School) did not begin voting until between 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM. Many locations, including several units in Awgu and Isi Uzo, experienced severe delays, with some reporting that neither ENSIEC officials nor voting materials were present well into the afternoon. In places like Obiagu Primary School in Enugu North, even when polls eventually opened, the process was marred by incomplete materials and conflicts that disrupted voting. Despite these challenges, peaceful polling was reported in a few units, such as Uzo Uwani and Ezeagu, once voting commenced.
Voter Turnout: Voter turnout was mixed across the polling units. Uzo-Uwani reported over 800 voters by 11:56 AM, while several units in Igbo Eze North, Enugu East, Igbo Etiti, and Nsukka recorded zero turnout. In contrast, Enugu North, Nsukka, and Udenu experienced moderate turnout, with many units reporting around 50 voters by 11:30 AM. Women and youths made up a significant proportion of the electorate, with youth turnout particularly high in areas like Aninri and Uzo-Uwani. By 11:45 AM, only 51% of the observed polling units had ENSIEC officials and materials present, leaving 49% without any ENSIEC officials.
The Voting Process: In many areas where voting commenced, the process was peaceful and orderly. However, delays in the arrival of election materials, particularly in Igbo Eze North and Isi Uzo, hindered the voting process. Some polling units, such as Nsukka and Udi, had not started voting by 11:30 AM, leading to frustration among voters. Observations indicated that 42% of the polling units experienced disorderly conduct from political party agents. Only 39% of the observed units had provisions in place for persons with disabilities (PWDs), the elderly, and pregnant women to vote easily.
Availability of Security Agents: Security coverage at polling units was inadequate, with 51% lacking any security presence. The availability of security personnel was inconsistent; while areas like Uzo-Uwani, Nsukka, and Aninri had security officials ensuring a peaceful voting process, 54% of polling units in Igbo Eze North and Isi Uzo reported a notable absence of security, raising concerns about potential unrest.
Conduct of Political Party Agents: Political party agents were present in most polling units, but their behaviour varied. In many areas, particularly Uzo-Uwani, Nsukka, and Aninri, agents conducted themselves peacefully, with no reports of attempts to influence voters or offer gifts. However, in a few units like Enugu North, some party agents were observed trying to sway voters.
Vote Buying: Incidents of vote buying were minimal across the polling units. Observers generally did not report any cases of party agents offering money or gifts to voters or ENSIEC officials.
Signed:
Andrew Mamedu,
Country Director,ActionAid Nigeria
Editors' notes
ActionAid Nigeria is a national non-governmental, non-partisan, non-religious, civil society organisation, and an affiliate member of the ActionAid International Federation with presence in 45 countries. It works in solidarity with people living in poverty and exclusion to achieve social justice, gender equality, and poverty eradication toward achieving a just, equitable, and sustainable world in which every person enjoys the right to a life of dignity, freedom from poverty, and all forms of oppression.
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