By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Controversy surrounding last Saturday’s Bauchi Governorship election have continue to trail the conduct of the election.
According to a group of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accredited observers, the March 18, 2023 Governorship election was marred by alleged vote-buying, over-voting and pockets of violence, occasioned by thuggery and intimidation.
The observers, led Rebecca Maimato of the Centre for Child Care and Youth Development, stated this while addressing journalists at Yimir Hotel, Bauchi, described the election as falling below electoral standard and INEC Electoral Act.
Maimato called on INEC to visit areas where reported cases of irregularities and malpractices were recorded during the election.
“From our observation for instance, in Alkaleri ballot papers used were not carrying the official stamp,” she said
“There were cases where over voting and vote buying were widespread and observed.
“In kirfi there were cases of over voting and violence, especially in Kafin Iya and Bara wards.
“In Bauchi Local Government we observed that in Birshi Miri wards there were cass of over voting and vote buying .
“This is a summary of the irregularities observed in the election.
The observers then recommended that INEC as a matter of urgency should looked into some of our observations with a view to correct the just concluded Bauchi State elections characterised by such irregularities.
“This is a major set back to Nigeria’s democracy. Secondly we recommend that INEC should critically visit the issue of vote buying, results sheets alterations and malpractices in the entire Bauchi State elections for immediate prosecution. INEC should ensure that LG with election irregularities and malpractices are cancelled”, the observers concluded.
We are living witness to the fact that there were no Elections in Bauchi. What happened on the 23rd March 2023 in Bauchi was a day-light- Robbery. INEC should wake up to it’s responsibilities and cancell the whole “thing” while making sure that those involved are duly and severely punished.