Election observer group, Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), on Sunday commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the conduct of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in spite of fears that trailed the initial postponement of the polls.

The group in its preliminary report of the election also condemned the violence that led to reported killings in some parts of the country, especially in Rivers, Bayelsa, Ebonyi and Yobe states.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Acting Executive Director of CTA, Faith Nwadishi, said the frameworks and mechanisms put in place by INEC ensured the polls were credible.

Nwadishi said simultaneous accreditation and voting introduced by the electoral body in no small measure contributed to the success of the polls.

She also commended the quick response of the INEC Chairman by ordering the arrest of erring officials who connived with politicians to sabotage the electoral process in some polling units.

According to Nwadishi, in most cases of card readers malfunctioning, INEC was able to respond in a timely manner to either fix the problem or replace such malfunctioning card readers.

She, however, faulted the slow response of INEC to security breaches by security agencies, saying this led to situation where citizens were left with no option than to resort to self-help.

“We also note with concern, few cases of INEC officials conniving with politicians to sabotage the electoral process.

“For example in parts of Imo, INEC officials connived with politicians to withhold electoral materials thereby preventing the elections from holding.

“We commend the quick response of the INEC chairman in arresting the situation and ordering the arrest of the erring officials,” she said.

The CTA boss also commended Nigerians for their determination and enthusiasm to come out in high numbers and vote in spite of initial security concerns and fears.

“In spite of the challenges encountered and the earlier postponement of the elections, voters turned out in large numbers with determination and enthusiasm.

“It was heartening to see that irrespective of their political views, voters took this civic duty seriously. Nigerians once again showed their determination to ensure the sustenance of democracy,” she added.

She, however, said that reports from observers deployed by CTA across the country indicated that the elections was still marred by challenges ranging from late arrival of materials and personnel.

Others are malfunctions of card readers, shortage of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, pockets of violence in some states resulting in killings and disruption of voting.

Missing names of registered voters from the electoral register, poor management of RACS on the polling day.

According to her despite these challenges, observers noted the determination and enthusiasm of voters to participate and exercise their franchise.

She said: “While INEC generally displayed dedication, we observed that some of them were still grappling with a basic understanding of their roles as well as the capacity to operate the card readers.

“There were widespread reports of late arrival of materials and personnel across the country even though the RACs were activated a night before.

“From our observation, this was due to lack of poor deployment of materials and personnel to various places.

“We noted that in certain cases, voters with PVCs could not find their names on the voters register and ended up being disenfranchised.”

She also expressed concern with what she described as the unrelenting desperation of the political class and political parties in undermining the electoral process.

The penchant for the use of political thugs, vote buying, the predilection for compromising the security agencies have all combined to pose serious threats to the political process by the political class and political parties.”

(NAN)