nigeria: MOSOP CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE ELECTORAL REFORM

MOVEMENT FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THE OGONI PEOPLE (MOSOP)
27 ODU STREET, OGBUNABALI, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE.
TEL/FAX: 084 - 233907; EMAIL: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE – THURSDAY 24TH APRIL 2003- 2 PAGES

MOSOP CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE ELECTORAL REFORM

In reaction to the conduct of elections in Rivers State and the repeated failure of INEC in the State to meet even the minimum standards for conducting elections MOSOP is calling for the resignation of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, the arrest of those responsible for abuses, and a most urgent review by all political stakeholders of the structural failings in our electoral system which contributed to these abuses.

MOSOP deployed observers in Rivers State across the two elections of April 12th and April 19th and kept in close touch with other domestic and international observers. After reviewing reports from our own observers, domestic observers and international organisations we have reached the following conclusions.

· The wholesale and systematic malpractices which occurred in Rivers State was of such severity that it calls into question INEC’s credibility and their capacity to conduct elections in the state. It also calls into question whether the Police in Rivers State were in any way upholding their responsibilities.

· The difference between practices in Rivers State and other states in the country suggests that there has been a fundamental failure in Rivers State which requires urgent action by INEC, Security Services and the Federal government to restore any faith in democratic processes in River State

· On April 12th and April 19th what occurred could not be described as an election in Rivers State and we believe the people of Rivers State have been disenfranchised, with no indication as to who would have been elected should elections have taken place in our state.

We are hereby calling for the following with Regard to Rivers State:

· The immediate resignation of the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, who appears to be unable or unwilling to ensure that elections are properly held. [Where the Commissioner feels he has ‘tried’ we would commend his resignation as an honourable exit in the face of overwhelming abuse that he may not endorse]

· The investigation, arrest and prosecution of those already named in complaints to the Police who have been responsible for gross acts of violence, intimidation and criminal breeches of electoral laws.

· Immediate action by the Inspector General of Police and the Police Services Commission to investigate why there are so many reports from Rivers State of partisan and even grossly illegal activity by Police who were supposed to be protecting the integrity of elections

· Immediate action by INEC to address the fundamental failure to conduct proper elections in Rivers State in time to ensure proper elections to the State House of Assembly.

PAGE 2 OF 2 MOSOP RE ELECTIONS APRIL 12TH AND 19TH

MOSOP notes the release of reports by the Commonwealth, European Union, Transition Monitoring Group, Justice and Peace Development Commission, IRI, NDI, and others which cite abuses in Rivers State as being extraordinary in the national context and repeatedly cite ‘elections’ already held in Rivers State as unacceptable.

MOSOP will release a detailed report which we hope will further assist INEC and the Federal Government in the necessary reforms and investigations which must now take place.

However where the government, INEC and Police are demanding detailed evidence of abuse we would seriously question why, with such flagrant abuses, the relevant authorities are not already acting of its own accord.

With regard to deficiencies which contributed to problems in Rivers and Elsewhere:

MOSOP believes that gross deficiencies in the Electoral Act and the constituted structure of INEC contributed to the problems we have seen over the last 2 weeks. Unless these deficiencies are addressed we are concerned that these failures will be instutionalised and will lead to a further national crisis.

Accordingly we are noting the following and calling for an urgent meeting of all political parties and civil society to test whether there is consensus on the following:

· Amending the appointment of INEC Commissioners in line with standards in other African Countries [where equivalent to commissioners come from civil society and parties and are NOT appointed solely by the President]

· Reform of the Electoral Act so that INEC has appropriate powers to act on electoral abuses rather than acting as a rubber stamp for whatever its Electoral offices have seen fit to present.

· Addressing issues in the Electoral Act and its enforcement so that we are not again faced by a series of contradictions on electoral administration and practice, all of which contribute to an environment promoting abuse

· Establishing appropriate financial and political independence for INEC so that it is never again held hostage to the political whims of politicians who contributed to INEC’s inaction on vital matters such as a timely voter’s register, production of basic materials and even a failure of basic administration due allegedly to lack of funds.

Our thanks go out to the many observers, INEC staff, members of the security services and ordinary people in Rivers State who have taken considerable risks to oppose the abuse of the democratic process in our state and contribute to reporting by observer groups both domestic and international.
Signed Dr Olua Kamalu, Deputy President MOSOP, April 24th 2003
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