The Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), a non-governmental organisation, has deployed 100 observers to monitor Saturday’s governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa.

Brenda Anugwom, the chief executive officer of Gender and Election Watch (GEW) Room of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), said this in a statement on Friday.

Ms Anugwom explained that NWTF GEW would receive feedback from the observers through an electronic gender-based checklist. According to her, GEW will watch and harvest critical data on the participation of women and other vulnerable groups in the off-cycle election to carry out its analysis based on the Electoral Act (2022) as amended.

She stated, “The analysis of this feedback forms the basis for NWTF GEW statements on the conduct of the election on November 11, especially around the participation of women and other vulnerable groups. Our GEW room will closely observe the election day performance of voters, candidates, and electoral officials from a gender perspective. 

“We will also pay attention to the adherence to the operational guidelines for the elections and assess how all elements of the election process impact all stakeholders from a gender perspective. Furthermore, the efficiency and effectiveness of technology deployed for the electoral process by INEC as well as the operations of all critical stakeholders in the states will closely be assessed.”

Ms Anugwom added, “We will not hesitate to call out any political party indulging in electoral malpractice during the election.”

She lauded INEC’s preparedness, adding that priority voting should be accorded to pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly and persons with disabilities in line with the Amended Electoral Act 2022. 

Ms Anugwom called on the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), such as police, NSCDC and other security agencies, to arrest perpetrators of electoral crimes and ensure the safety of lives and property during and after the election.

“Political parties and candidates should stick to their commitment to the peace accords for a peaceful and credible election,” she said.

Ms Anugwom also urged the citizens of the states to be patriotic and prevent election violence, especially those perpetrated against women during the elections.

(NAN)