Expose Fraud, CSO Tells Poll Observers

The Centre for Democracy Development (CDD) has called on the observers that will monitor Saturday’s presidential election to expose fraud where it happens.

CDD also advised the observers not to allow their duties to disrupt the electoral process since they are to make recommendations that will help in the credibility of future elections.

Speaking at the CDD 2023 election observation observers training in Abuja yesterday, the resource person who is also the FCT coordinator, CDD Election Observer Team, Rasheed Shuaib, said all observers will be on the field to see if the voters are truly voting.

“We are here to know the essence of our task. The essence of elections is to choose a leader through a fair process.

“Observers will go to the field and see if people are truly voting,” Rasheed said, urging the observers to be conversant with the constitution and other election guidelines.

“As an observer, you have to be conversant with the constitution, the electoral act, the election manual and election guidelines by INEC.

“Observers help to avoid fraud and expose fraud where it happens; help identify human errors in the electoral process; promote citizens’ confidence in the electoral process by providing systematic information about whether the elections are conducted according to the established rules and regulations and provide recommendations to improve future elections.

“Our observations must be free from bias; don’t interfere in the process. As an election observer, you are not meant to hold the voting sheet. Respect the law of the land and the security men at the polling units,” Rasheed added.

Some of the trainees told LEADERSHIP Sunday that the training has removed a few and equipped them for the task ahead.