The Independent National Electoral Commission’s results of the Osun State governorship election on Saturday were reportedly identical with those acquired through a parallel vote tabulation procedure headed by civil society, according to the British High Commission in Abuja.
The UK government is praising “the people of Osun state for their active, peaceful, and democratic participation in the governorship election” at the same time.
In a statement titled “Statement on the Osun State Governorship Election 2022” that was made public on Monday, the UK praised INEC, the security services, civil society organizations, and all other participants in the election.
The statement also mentioned how the Osun election showed advancements in the electoral process over the most recent Ekiti governorship election.
The statement partly read, “The British High Commission congratulates the people of Osun State for their active, peaceful and democratic participation in the governorship election that was held on Saturday 16 July 2022.
“We note that the results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are consistent with the results obtained through civil society-led Parallel Vote Tabulation process.
“We commend INEC, the security agencies, civil society partners led by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and all stakeholders for their contribution to the success of the process.
“Our mission which observed the election on Saturday was encouraged by the continuing improvements in the electoral process, following the governorship election in Ekiti State last month. The timely opening of polls, functionality of the BVAS devices for accreditation of voters and electronic transmission of results, accessibility provisions for people with disabilities and vulnerable voters and increased turnout of voters were all factors worth commending about the process.
However, the UK expressed worry over alleged vote-buying during the election and urged the appropriate authorities to hold those found responsible accountable.
“We are concerned by reports from some locations of apparent vote-buying and hope that persons involved are held to account by the relevant authorities,” it stated.
“As Nigeria approaches the 2023 general election, we encourage INEC and all relevant stakeholders to build on the progress made in the last two governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States as it builds on the strong legal foundation provided by the new Electoral Act to implement an electoral system that promotes the free and meaningful participation of young people, women, persons with disabilities and citizens generally in the democratic process.
“The UK will continue to support Nigeria, its institutions and civil society in drawing lessons from these elections to secure the integrity of its electoral system and the deepening of Nigeria’s democracy,” the statement added.
