The Nigerian Human Rights Community (NIHRCO) have commended the people and government of Ekiti for the peaceful conduct of the local government election in the state.
The election of 38 chairmen and 177 councilors was held on Saturday, December 2.
NIHRCO who monitored the election in 177 wards said the exercise has once again demonstrated the quality of leadership in the State.
It said the election was peaceful, devoid of violence and rigging while the outcome represents the free will of the voters.
The coalition in a statement signed by its officials asked State Governments that are yet to conduct Local Government elections to do so, stressing that local government administration is essential to democracy and development.
The NIHRCO said a comprehensive report on the election is being put together which will be distributed across democratic institutions at home and abroad on lessons learnt and the challenges.
‘The Local Government election was not perfect, but it represented a remarkable achievement in building sustainable democratic culture in Nigeria’ the group said in a statement signed by its Programme Officers, Mr Taiwo Adeleye and Fredrick Ojinika. The group called on the National Assembly to create special intervention funds to assist the State Electoral Commission in meeting democratic obligations in line with the fiscal support given by the Federal Government to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).
The group commended the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission, EKSIEC for the early arrival of materials and effective administration of the entire process which had almost zero hitches. ‘The Ekiti Local Government election is a confirmation that states can run their affairs even better in many respects than the central government’.
The group said using BVAS for National Elections is good but that the same technology should be used in Local Government elections which may require special funds for SIECs to enable the institution to develop the technology that will broaden popular participation, ensure real-time transmission of results taking local government elections into a higher level
The group said using BVAS for National Elections is good but that the same technology should be used in Local Government elections which may require special funds for SIECs to enable the institution to develop the technology that will broaden popular participation, ensure real-time transmission of results taking local government elections into a higher level
The coalition said deliberate policy of non-violence by state actors is essential for sustainable development.
The group said Nigerians should be encouraged to show interest in Local Government elections, adding that if Nigeria gets it right at the local government level, it will be easier to conduct credible elections at the National level.
