Idowu: Election logistics and result management major challenges

As the countdown to the Edo state governorship election continues, the team lead at Kimpact Development Initiative, Bukola Idowu, highlighted the major challenges of election logistics and result management facing the country's electoral umpire. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Idowu expressed cautious optimism about the prospects of a safe and successful election while acknowledging the excitement surrounding the uncertainty of the three-horse race outcome in the state. Election preparations are in full swing as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the deployment of 18,000 ad hoc staff who have been trained for the election. These staff members will be stationed at the Registration Area Centres (RAC) before moving to the polling units on election day. Additionally, security agencies, political parties, and citizens are also gearing up for the upcoming election. Despite the apparent readiness for the elections, concerns loom large over recurring challenges that have plagued previous electoral processes in Nigeria. Issues such as electoral violence, the deployment of security personnel in volatile areas, and voter apathy remain significant areas of concern. Idowu emphasized the critical need for trust in the electoral institutions among citizens and political parties. The deployment of 43,000 security personnel, including 35,000 police officers and 8,000 personnel from sister agencies, aims to ensure the safety and security of the election. However, pre-election violence incidents have raised concerns, with 35 recorded cases of election-related violence and 60 non-election-related violent incidents during the campaign period. The massive security presence, including police officers and naval units, is expected to deter election day violence, but the level of trust in the electoral process is essential to guarantee a peaceful and credible election. Idowu highlighted the potential for violence in case of logistical challenges from INEC, citing issues such as late arrival of materials, malfunctioning Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS), and a lack of transparency in result transmission. Looking beyond election day proceedings, the focus shifts to post-election activities and result management. The accreditation process and result transmission via INEC Result Viewing (IREV) platform pose significant challenges, with political parties closely contesting the electoral process and potential election outcomes. Idowu underscored the historical challenges faced by INEC in election logistics and result management, noting past instances where elections were postponed due to logistical issues and security concerns. The reliance on familiar logistical partners, such as the National Union of Road Transport Workers, raises questions about the effectiveness of addressing these persistent challenges. Amid these uncertainties, Idowu tempered expectations for substantial change, citing the continuity of existing leaders and logistical dynamics. As the state prepares to choose its next leader, concerns extend beyond the election day to the transparency and credibility of the electoral process. The optimism surrounding the election lies in the excitement among the state's residents for what is shaping up to be a closely contested three-way race. The unpredictability of the outcome and the candidates' wide geographical support base have generated interest and anticipation among the electorate. The hope is for a high voter turnout and a peaceful election day devoid of political rhetoric that could deter participation. As the state braces for the election, the focus remains on overcoming logistical hurdles and ensuring a transparent and effective electoral process.