Preliminary Statement of ActionAid Nigeria on the Akwa Ibom State LGA Election Scheduled for 5th October 2024
Uyo, October 4, 2024 - As Akwa Ibom State prepares for its Local Government Area (LGA) elections, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), in collaboration with the Clement Isong Foundation, calls on all citizens to actively and peacefully engage in this vital democratic process. ActionAid Nigeria remains dedicated in its commitment to strengthening democracy, particularly at the local governance level, where encouraging communities is key to ending poverty and promoting social justice. AAN reiterates that local governance is key to community development and effective service delivery, and the upcoming LGA elections in Akwa Ibom provide citizens the opportunity to elect leaders who will drive sustainable progress.
In preparation for the elections, ActionAid Nigeria and the Clement Isong Foundation have trained 153 election observers, who will be deployed across the 31 LGAs and 153 wards to monitor the electoral process. To ensure effective coordination, data collection, and analysis, we have also established a Technical Room that will provide real-time information to Election Management Agencies. This real-time data will be crucial for timely interventions, while keeping citizens and the media informed about the election’s progress. The Technical Room will enable rapid responses to critical incidents, and facilitate swift escalation to the relevant authorities.
We have obtained official accreditations for all our election observers and established a communication channel with AKISIEC to ensure seamless real-time information sharing during the elections. The Commission has assured us that our observers will have unrestricted access to polling units on election day.
AKISIEC has confirmed that 12 political parties will participate in the election, fielding 79 chairmanship candidates and 612 councillorship candidates across the 31 LGAs. Due to budget constraints, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) technology will not be deployed. However, the official voters’ register has been displayed at all polling units, allowing voters ample time to confirm their polling locations ahead of election day. ActionAid Nigeria is optimistic about witnessing a transparent and accountable electoral process both during and after the elections, given AKISIEC’s transparency in the pre-election period.
Key Observations
In the lead-up to the October 5, 2024, Local Government Elections, we have actively engaged with the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC). This engagement has been marked by ongoing dialogue and participation in various pre-election preparations. Throughout these interactions, AKISIEC has shown commendable openness to civil society participation, consistently updating us on their election readiness.
Our overall pre-election engagements with AKISIEC have been positive, reflecting the Commission’s commitment to conducting credible elections and its receptiveness to feedback from civil society.
ActionAid Nigeria and the Clement Isong Foundation therefore recommend that:
- The Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission upholds its commitment to ensuring the successful conduct of the LGA elections.
- All political actors respect the principles of free, fair, and credible elections throughout the voting process.
- The citizens and residents of Akwa Ibom State actively participate in the elections, cast their votes peacefully, and elect the candidates of their choice.
- Security agencies maintain neutrality in the discharge of their duties and ensure adequate protection of lives and property during the elections.
As we approach election day, ActionAid Nigeria remains committed to supporting transparent and democratic processes in Akwa Ibom State. We will continue working in collaboration with AKISIEC and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the local government elections.
Signed:
Andrew Mamedu,
Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria