Final Statement on the Conduct of Security Personnel on Election Duty during the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election by Independent Observers
Released in Akure on Sunday 17th November 2024
Introduction
Election is a critical component of democracy, providing citizens with the opportunity to express their will in the selection of democratic leaders and shape the governance of their society. Ondo state 2024 governorship election is one of the staggered elections in the country and has attracted interest from within and outside the country. The preparation and discharge of constitutional responsibilities by stakeholders especially the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Nigeria Police Force therefore become imperative in ensuring the will of the people of Ondo state is protected by barring and mitigating any incursion from political actors.
CLEEN Foundation being a leading Civil Society Organization on Election Security Management in Nigeria did deploy observers to the eighteen (18) LGAs of the state to primarily observe the conduct of security personnel that have been deployed for the purpose of the election. CLEEN’s engagement with the police hierarchy during the Foundation’s public dissemination of the Election Security Threat Assessment (ESTA) and physical meeting at the state command showed that the police deployed thirty-six thousand (36,000) personnel with about 15,000 being unarmed personnel deployed to the 3,933 polling units in the state. In addition, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deployed a total of 6225 personnel for the purpose of the Election.
Objective
The main objective of this report is to provide an overview of the compliance or non-compliance of security personnel to the legal frameworks and ethical principles guiding the process of election in Nigeria as well as their general conduct during the election.
Methodology
CLEEN Foundation deployed trained citizens’ observers across the 18 local government areas with a standard checklist to observe the conduct of security personnel deployed to secure the 2024 governorship elections in Ondo state. Consequently, CLEEN Foundation opened her Election Security Support Centre (ESSC) on Saturday morning 16th November, 2024 where data from her citizens’ observers in the state were received and analyzed to develop this report. The ESSC received incident reports and escalated same to the appropriate institutions for action.
Findings on Conduct of Security Personnel on Election Duty
As mentioned above, CLEEN’s role in the election is to observe the conduct of security personnel particularly the Police during the course of the election. The observation included issues concerning: presence of security personnel, adequacy of security personnel, the feeling of safety and security at the polling stations and the environs, the positioning of armed security personnel and the general conduct of security personnel on election duty across the state.
Presence of Security Personnel
Observers deployed by CLEEN Foundation across Ondo state during the 2024 governorship election reported the presence of security personnel at the various polling units observed. The polling units included Odigbo LGA, Ward 10, PU 40, Akure South LGA Ward 5 PU 29, and others
Early Arrival of Security Personnel
Data received showed early arrival of security personnel in majority of the polling units observed. Security personnel, especially officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) got to their duty stations between 07:00 am and 07:59 am. In about 29.6% of the polling stations visited, security personnel arrived before 07:00 am. On the overall, and based on CLEEN’s observation we can conclude that security personnel deployed for the election were early to their duty posts.
Adequacy of Security Personnel at the Polling Units
CLEEN Foundation observers reported that there were at least 2 security personnel present in each polling station visited while in most of the polling stations there were 3 or more security personnel on duty. The data also showed that in about 70% of the polling stations, there were at least 2 security personnel present. However, there was a particular report of absence of security personnel at one of the polling units.
Identification of Security Personnel
The data received from field observers at the CLEEN Foundation Election Security Support Centre showed that all security personnel in all the polling stations wore an easily identifiable name tag which is in compliance with the code of conduct for security personnel on election duty.
Safety & Security during the Polls
Field Observers reported that polling stations and environs were largely safe and secure except in few instances in Isalu Jigbokin ward 8 unit 002, where observers reported a fight between party agents which could have disrupted the voting process but for timely containment and de-escalation by law enforcement personnel deployed to the polling unit. While we were not clear of the actual cause of the fisticuffs, reports from our observer suggested that it was about the control of electorates. Also, in New Garage zone, Motor Park 1/unit 016, Okitipupa ward 2, Okitipupa LGA, our observer reported a fight between party agents who were attempting to induce an electorate.
Conduct of Security Personnel Deployed for the Election
The data across the Local Government Areas in Ondo state as received by CLEEN Foundation Election Security Support Centre indicate that majority of the security personnel were of good conduct. Almost all the observers deployed in the 18 LGAs reported good conduct of the security personnel. 96% of observers reported that the security personnel were approachable and professional in the discharge of their duties.
Other Observations Made During the Election
BVAS Functionality
Generally, the BVAS functioned very well. However, CLEEN Foundation received a report of BVAS malfunction at Akure-North, Ward 4, Polling Unit 1. The BVAS delayed in capturing the voters using facial ID.
Voters Inducement
Voters inducement was the order of the day, CLEEN Foundation received several reports of vote trading ranging from 5000 to 10,000 naira per vote. For instance, report from observers at Okitipupa Ward 2 PU 16 and in other areas showed heavy inducement of voters by political parties as they have put in place several strategies which included payment of voters upon confirmation of their votes haven been cast to their party; transfer of money to voters after voting their party; payment of food and drinks for voters and the use of a form of voter register where voters are forced to show who they have voted for before claiming their money and thereafter, sign-off the party’s voters register.
Recommendations
In view of the observations and gaps identified by CLEEN Foundation before and during the elections, the following recommendations are being made to critical stakeholders:
Law Enforcement Agencies (especially the Nigeria Police Force)
Develop and Implement Anti-Vote-Trading Measures: Create targeted strategies to combat voter inducement, including undercover surveillance at polling units and community sensitization on the illegality of vote trading with strong deterrent structures.
Strengthen Conflict De-escalation Training: Expand training programs for security personnel on non-violent conflict resolution to address incidents like party agent disputes without disrupting the voting process.
Enhance Early Deployment Protocols: Ensure early deployment of personnel to all polling units, prioritizing historically underserved and hard-to-reach areas, and maintain clear communication channels for rapid response to emergencies.
Monitor and Penalise Misconduct: Establish mechanisms to report, monitor, and sanction any lapses or unprofessional conduct of security personnel in order to maintain public confidence in their neutrality.
Punish Electoral Offenders: In collaboration with INEC, investigate and punish electoral offenders as a deterrent to others.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Improve BVAS Functionality: Conduct rigorous pre-election testing and provide real-time technical support to ensure BVAS devices function optimally throughout the voting process.
Enhance Voter Education Campaigns: Partner with civil society organizations (CSOs) to educate voters on the dangers of vote trading and the importance of free and fair elections.
Tackle Vote Trading at Polling Units: In collaboration with anti-craft agencies enforce stricter monitoring and create deterrents against party agents engaging in vote trading by deploying INEC, EFCC & ICPC officers trained to identify and address such activities.
Incentivise Compliance: Recognise and reward polling units and personnel with exemplary adherence to electoral laws and ethical standards in order to promote accountability and integrity in elections.
Civil Society Organizations
Raise Awareness on Electoral Offenses: Educate the public about the consequences of voter inducement and the importance of protecting the integrity of elections.
Active Citizenship & Reporting: Encourage and empower voters to report incidents of vote trading, security breaches, or misconduct through accessible hotlines and social media platforms.
Foster Civic Responsibility: Reinforce the importance of voting as a civic duty and discourage actions that undermine democratic processes, such as accepting monetary inducements for votes
Conclusion
While CLEEN Foundation wishes to commend the conduct of security personnel deployed for the election, we, in the same vein, call for security agencies to draw up a methodology to assiduously combat voters’ inducement and monetization of ballots by the political class in the country. We also call on law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant even after the election and the declaration of the result by INEC.
May God bless the good people of Ondo State.
Thank you.
