By Eberechi Obinagwam
A non governmental organisation, CLEEN Foundation has reported that 93 per cent of security personnel who participated at the just concluded Governorship and House of Assembly elections were impartial, while one percent of the security agents were some-what partial.
CLEEN Foundation said it deployed 1,600 trained observers across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas. It added that the status of impartiality of 5 percent of the security personnel was not ascertained.
In a statement signed by the executive director, CLEEN Foundation, Benson Olugbuo and made available to our reporter, it said 89 per cent of the polling units were safe and secure while 9 per cent were observed to be somewhat safe and secured with low turnout of voters across the polling units compared to the Presidential/NASS elections that was held two weeks ago, specifically at Polling Unit 011, Customs quarters Karu Site 2, Abuja, and in several other states including Kwara, Kogi and Benue States.
Also, CLEEN observed that the 2019 general elections, despite the unfortunate cases of violence leading to the death of some citizens, can be regarded as another important step in Nigeria’s experience with democracy.
“It is, however, disturbing that we are yet to have a violence free election. The reports of violence raise great concerns and demands for critical interventions to stop the trend.
“Elections must be devoid of violence for democracy to continue to grow and flourish. We commend the majority of Nigerians that have demonstrated commitment to the electoral process, by going out to vote and largely conducted themselves in a peaceful manner,” Benson stated.
