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Ilorin
The Coalition of INEC accredited Civil Society Observer Groups has adjudged the Saturday’s bye-election in Patigi Constituency for Kwara State House of Assembly” as free, fair, credible and transparent.”
The coalition gave the verdict while addressing newsmen through its spokesman, Comrade Victor Kalu in Ilorin.
The group said, “There was an obvious all round improvement on the part of INEC, regarding the conduct of the last Saturday bye-election at Patigi State constituency.”
It also observertimely distribution of election materials and their arrival in various polling units.
This positive development resulted it said resulted “in timely commencement of election in all the units.”
The Coalition commended the people of Patigi State Constituency for their proper conduct during and after the election, especially for showing maturity and putting away “the stings of violence.”
It furtyer observed that the turnout of voters for the election was impressive but relatively low in some areas, due to inadequate voter sensitisation and mobilisation by the stakeholders.
“The Patigi State Constituency Bye-election actually took place as scheduled on the 14th March, 2020 across the entire constituency.
” There was an obvious, all round improvement on the part of INEC regarding the timely distribution of election materials and their arrival in various polling units.”
The Coalition, however,observed uncontrollable presence of children or underage within and around the polling units,adding that commercial activities also took placeo in major polling units during the exercise.
It called on government and the election management body to consider engaging committed civil society groups, on an intensive civic voter education, sensitisation and mobilisation, ahead of every election.
The coalition said this was necessary to encourage increased voter participation in elections.
