By Fortune Eromosele, Abuja

The International Police Chaplain Sustainable Development and Law Enforcement, Inc., IPCSL, has given kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, saying that the elections were credible and followed due process.

Reading his prepared speech at the IPSCL and other foreign and domestic observers 2023 preliminary reports and assessment on the Nigeria 2023 general elections, the IPCSL Africa Coordinator, Head of International Police Chaplains Electoral Observation Mission in Nigeria, Amb. Johannes Makouvia, said that the overall turnout of voters was orderly and calm, with voters casting their ballots peacefully without major incidents.

According to him, “The electoral law stipulates that voting is secret and that each polling station has at least one voting booth. The Mission observed compliance with this provision in the polling stations visited. This helps to guarantee the secrecy of the vote.

“The mission found that, in general, voting procedures were followed by polling station officials. An average of four candidate delegates were present at each polling station. The majority of delegates for Nigeria Election 2023/IPCSL Electoral Observation 5 were from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the Labour Party (LP).

“Persons living with disabilities or vulnerable persons were assisted during the voting process by a person of their choice or a member of the polling station. This is a step forward in terms of ownership of the electoral process and democratic culture.

“The Mission notes that polling staff were generally trained in voting procedures. The IPCSL found that candidate delegates were able to freely exercise their mission in the polling stations observed. This is a sign of political maturity that contributed to the normal functioning of the polling stations. The counting and posting of results were public and in accordance with the Electoral Law.”

He called on INEC to continue interactions with candidates and parties to build confidence, which in turn he said will strengthen the social fabric and capacity of election staff.

Makuovia further urged candidates and political actors to use legal channels in the event of a challenge, and “favour political dialogue in all circumstances to perpetuate social peace; ensure a better training and representation of their delegates and militants in the polling stations.”

Domestic observers at the event were: Grassroots Empowerment Initiative for Positive Change and Development, Mr. Jimmy George, Voters Awareness Initiative, Mr. Davis Mela, Society for the Protection of Human Rights, Mrs. Nike George, African Civil Society Forum, Mr. Victor Adeyemo, Africa Youths International Development Foundation and Pan African Leadership League, Engr. Chashidu.

Others were, Centre for Strategic Conflicts Management, Dr. Isaac Iduma, Youth and Public Safety Awareness Initiative, Gen. Adeoye Oladeji, and African Coordination.