A colossal manipulation of the presidential poll has been predicted to rock northeastern Bauchi, Taraba and Adamawa states among 20 other states, according to a February 10 report by YIAGA Africa, a local civil society group promoting democratic governance.
The prediction, YIAGA says was premised on its Election Manipulation Risk Index (EMRI), an evidence-based tool designed to promote strategic election planning and reduce electoral manipulation.
Northwestern states of Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa and Kano were also pointed to likely rig election.
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In northcentral, Niger, Plateau and Kwara states were mentioned. The same orgy was predicted to rock Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Lagos states. In southeast and south-south, YIAGA noted that Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Abia, Imo, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states could be affected.
However, the group predicted minimum manipulations in Zamfara, Yobe, Borno, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Cross River, and Kebbi states.
“Gombe in the northeast and the Federal Capital Territory in north central are the only states with little chance of manipulation in the presidential election”, the report states, listing its yard sticks as INEC capture, voter register manipulation, voter suppression, resistance to the election technology, history of election manipulations, and election litigations.
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YIAGA, however, advised that there should be an enhanced security at facilities where the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) are kept. It further advised a timely production and distribution of permanent voters cards , and a decentralized PVC collection process.
It added that prosecution of Independent National Electoral Commission officials involved in manipulating voter registers is another way to reduce the risk of election manipulation. It also urged the judiciary to dismiss cases instituted to undermine the preparations for the general elections and take disciplinary actions against legal practitioners engaged in election manipulation using the judicial process.
