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Preliminary Statement of CLEEN Foundation on the Conduct of Security Agencies during the Governorship Election on 22 nd September 2018

Preliminary Statement of CLEEN Foundation on the Conduct of Security Agencies during the Governorship Election on 22 nd September 2018

For Immediate Release
22 nd September, 2018
Osogbo, Osun State.

Introduction
The CLEEN Foundation in collaboration with the Police Service Commission is currently
monitoring the conduct of security agencies deployed for election duty in Osun State. More than
90 election observers were deployed across the 30 LGAs to ensure a balanced reportage and
adherence to good practices expected of security agencies on election duty. This preliminary
statement covers the period between the opening of polling units and the conclusion of voting.

Opening of Polling Units
Reports from the field indicates that most polling units opened on time. Security personnel and
INEC officials also arrived early.

Deployment of Security Agents
From the preliminary assessment received from our stationary and roving observers, it was noted
that there was an adequate deployment of security personnel during the election. Most polling
units had an average of four security personnel comprising police officers and other security
agencies. Security personnel were stationed at strategic locations in the state.

Conduct of Security Agencies
Security personnel largely conducted themselves in a commendable manner. They exhibited
professional conduct in maintaining law and order, were civil and approachable, assisting the
elderly and vulnerable in exercising their franchise.
However, there were reports of complicity and over-zealousness of security agents in a few
polling units. Specifically, some security agents prevented observers from using electronic
devices at the polling units, incidents of inducement and leaving their duty post at critical
moments were also observed.

General Observations
 Card reader malfunctioning: CLEEN Foundation observers reported failure of smartcard
readers leading to slow-down of the election. However, the card readers were replaced
with back-ups;
 Missing names on the voter-register: There were reported cases of missing names on the
voter register. This was recorded at Iwo and Orolu LGAs;
 Early arrival of INEC officials and security personnel- Our observers reported early
arrival of INEC officials and security personnel. Polling units were also set up on time.
 CLEEN Foundation observers witnessed early turnout of voters across the 30 Local
Government in the state.
 Inter-agency collaboration & cooperation of security agencies was observed during the
election.
 There was active participation of International & Domestic Observers.
 Incidents of vote-buying was reported.
 It was noted that early deployment of sensitive materials aided timely opening of polling
units and commencement of accreditation and voting.

Conclusions
The conduct of security agencies during the election is relatively commendable, in spite of the
few shortcomings observed. CLEEN Foundation however, notes that collation of results and
final announcement are critical moments in the conduct of elections and should be handled with
utmost sense of professionalism.
A full report will be issued at the end of the election.

Benson Olugbuo, PhD
Executive Director
CLEEN Foundation

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