ANAMBRA POLLS: YIAGA RELEASES THIRD PRE-ELECTION OBSERVATION REPORT

KEY FINDINGS FROM REPORTING PERIOD THREE

October 20 – November 2, 2017

Executive summary

The Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA), a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization devoted to electoral democracy and citizen’s participation, is playing an active role in the Anambra 2017 governorship election. On September 27, YIAGA deployed Long-Term Observation (LTOs) to Anambra state to observe the November 2017 pre-election environment. This report is the third in a series of four (4) to be released by YIAGA. It highlights the key findings of observations from the first and second reporting phases.  In the previous pre-election environment’s report, we presented our findings regarding activities of major political actors, most notably the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and civil society organizations (CSOs),of the youth and marginalized groups with emphasis on the state of preparedness, electioneering campaigns, voter education, participation, election security and threats of violence, among others. In this third phase, the main concerns include building early warning signs, informed advocacy and documenting stakeholders’ engagements in the pre-elections environment.

Summary of Findings:

1. Compared to the first and second reporting periods, there is an impressive increase in preparation by INEC in most (95%) of the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Anambra state;
2. There is an increase in the level of voter education programs or campaigns by INEC and CSOs, compared to the first and second reporting periods. However, voter education still remains relatively low in the current reporting period;
3. Across the 21 LGAs, there is little or no voter education program and messaging targeted at special interest and marginalized groups, such as youth, women and people with disabilities (PWDs);
4. Youth and women groups are seen to be increasingly engaging the political space through canvassing for votes for political parties and candidates;
5. Finally, the use of derogatory languages against candidates on the basis of their gender, age and faith remains minimal.

Summary of Recommendations:

1. YIAGA calls on CSOs, political parties, NOA and INEC to increase their efforts to raise voters’ awareness of the election process, using all available media, including radio, community engagement and social media.
2. To further the goal of having marginalize or disadvantage groups participate equally in the democratic process, electoral stakeholders should prioritize targeted voter education, for the disadvantage groups.
3. YIAGA encourages marginalized groups to partners with CSOs and INEC, to carryout voter education targeted at members of their constituencies.

4. To help ensure a peaceful election and a smooth transition, political parties, candidates and supports should abstain from using any form of incendiary language as election day approaches

Download Full PREO 3 report Below

PRE-ELECTION OBSERVATION REPORT 3