Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) has x-rayed the political landscape in Ekiti and Osun States in the buildup to the 2022 off-cycle gubernatorial election in the states.
In a study titled “Ekiti and Osun States Election Security Risk Assessment – ESRA 2022”, KDI examined the historical, political, electoral, media, geographical, and security contexts to map the hotspot zones in Ekiti and Osun states.
Part of the recommendation by the study was the need to simplify the electoral process – from registration to election day – to make it less cumbersome.
It was also recommended that INEC should automate the full automation of the registration and PVC collection exercise, stressing that, “it is high time that INEC considers full automation of registration and PVC collection to enable a seamless and easier registration process.
“INEC needs to ensure that the ad-hoc officials are adequately trained on their roles and responsibilities to enable them to perform efficiently on Election Day.
“With the introduction of the BVAS as a replacement for the Smart Card Reader for voter authentication and verification, INEC should ensure that the BVAS works effectively to reduce the waiting times and prolonged service time as it could be a trigger for violence on Election Day.”
KDI also encourages INEC to intensify efforts to raise awareness in the electorates of the new technologies that will be deployed for accreditation and voting and result in transmission.
KDI advises the commission to ensure that all activities such as logistics in the election timetable are concluded ahead of time and communicated regularly with stakeholders. This will aid more public trust in the commission and the election process.
“INEC should ensure that all logistical issues relating to the deployment of sensitive election materials and the commencement of the election are sorted ahead of time to avoid glitches that could trigger violence during the election.
“INEC should also ensure proper coordination with security agencies on their roles and responsibilities before, during, and after the election to ensure a successful election cycle in Ekiti and Osun states.”
The study was produced by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) to provide information on the Election Security Risk Assessment conducted in Ekiti and Osun states in the build-up to the 2022 gubernatorial election in the states.