The Situation Room has said it will deploy 2,410 observers with at least three observers per local government area (LGA) in every state to monitor the 2023 elections.
Development Diaries reports that the number of observers includes 131 persons with disabilities.
In a statement made available on its Twitter page, it identified some concerns with the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the polls.
— Situation Room (@SituationRoomNg) February 23, 2023
The statement noted that even though INEC has assured Nigerians of its preparedness for the elections, a lot will depend on the resilience of voters against several challenges, particularly fear of violence and the deteriorating socio-economic conditions in the country.
It further expressed concern that INEC had yet to publish the number of permanent voter cards (PVCs) collected, as this is a critical element of election result management.
Citing security concerns, the Situation Room called on the leadership of the Nigerian police to make public the deployment plans for its officers, especially commanding officers at zonal, state, area and divisional levels to enable stakeholders to liaise with these officials.
— Situation Room (@SituationRoomNg) February 23, 2023
It further called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that all agencies of government involved with the election deliver on their responsibilities.
On incidences of pre-election violence during the campaign period, it called on political parties to conduct themselves peacefully and discourage violence by their supporters.
— Situation Room (@SituationRoomNg) February 23, 2023
‘Although the current situation in the country has not been particularly positive, as citizens have faced severe hardship owing to fuel and naira scarcity, we are positive that citizens are ready and wiling to cast their votes’, the statement signed by the Convener of Situation Room, Ene Obi, alongside two co-conveners, Asmau Joda and James Ugochukwu.
‘Every general election in Nigeria comes with its own challenges and we rely on the assurance of INEC that it is prepared to conduct the elections’.
A total of 15,331 candidates will be vying for various positions during the elections, with 18 candidates contesting the seat of the president, 420 governorship candidates, 4,223 candidates competing for National Assembly seats and 10,232 candidates for the state Houses of Assembly seats.
The Situation Room is made up of a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) working in support of credible and transparent elections in Nigeria.
Photo source: Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
