Anambra guber: ElectHer calls for more inclusion of women in politics

ELECTHER, a civil society organisation (CSO), has called for more inclusion of women in politics.

In a midday situation report on Saturday, ElectHer said women participation in politics is still being limited by representation gaps.

“ElectHER deployed 120 field polling unit observers across all 21 LGAs of Anambra State, and six collation observers in Aguata, Awka South, Idemili north, Ogbaru, Ihiala, and the state HQ collation centre,” it said.

“This midday report presents a rapid situational analysis of polling operations, inclusivity, and integrity based on observer
feedback received between 8:30am and 11:04am

“At 8:30am, 85. 1percent of polling units had adhoc staff present while 19.4 percent reported arrivals between 8:31am – 9:30am.

“Aguata and Orumba south recorded the highest numbers of polling unit opening times before 8:30am,while Awka south, Orumba north, and Onitsha north LGAs recorded the highest number of polling unit opening times between 8:31am and 10:30am.

“Accreditation and voting commencement began before 9:30am in 77 percent of observed polling units. Delays were mainly linked to late voter material delivery and BVAS setup.

“Overall, 96.9 percent of BVAS machines functioned effectively during initial verification.”

On logistics and material availability, ElectHer noted that there were reported delayed delivery of materials in 7.5 percent of polling units.

“Most affected LGAs include Orumba north, Ogbaru, Orumba south, Onitsha south, and Ekwusigo,” the CSO said.

ElectHER also added that 92.5 percent of the polling units reported female INEC officials presiding over voting, while 76.1 percent reported the presence of female security personnel at the polls.

“So far, eight polling units have reported the availability of priority voting for pregnant women, nursing mothers and mothers with young children,” the CSO said.

“Polling units have reported incidences of hate speech and verbal attacks against women, while one polling unit has noted an incidence of physical abuse and gender based violence, at the time of reporting.

“ElectHER observers documented several critical incidents across Awka south, Oyi, and Ogbaru LGAs, highlighting logistical lapses and procedural irregularities that are affecting voter confidence and participation.

“In Awka south, delays in the arrival of INEC officials were reported at Kwata Junction( PU 024), where voters had waited for over an hour before the arrival of electoral officials.
“Observers have also recorded the absence of security personnel, at the time of reporting.The atmosphere remained tense but non-violent as of 9:48an

‘WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION REMAINS CONSTRAINED BY ACCESSIBILITY’

“Similarly, at Eke Awka Market (PU 023), observers report that only four of 211 registered voters had been accredited by 10:00am largely due to the fact that a high number of registered voters are market women who do not reside in close proximity to the market.

“This development may have disproportionately affected female traders and contributed to the low turnout observed.”

‘INSTANCES OF OPEN VOTE BUYING’

According to ElectHer, in Oyi LGA (Nkwelle Ezunaka ward, PU 013), observers reported open vote buying by party agents, “raising concerns about electoral integrity”.

“At Ibekwe (PU 032), Ogbaru LGA, INEC officials arrived at 10:49 a.m.without any security presence,” ElectHer said.

“In addition to this, four other observers have also reported attempted voter infuence across Anambra east, Njikoka and Onitsha north LGAs.

“Of this, three polling units reported vote buying targeting youth, one polling unit reported vote buying targeting security personnel. Three polling units reported incidents of harassment and intimidation.”

ElectHer, therefore, recommended continuous monitoring, rapid response to BVAS faults, and targeted security reinforcement in identified hotspots for the remainder of the polling period.

“At ElectHER, we are committed to upholding democratic values that protect the rights of every citizen to participate inthe electoral process while actively pushing for the inclusion of women in politics and public life,” the CSO noted.

“We will continue to provide data-driven analysis to Nigerians and to observe the electoral process to ensure transparency and accountability.”