A coalition of 135 civil society and community based groups in NigeriaNigerian Human Rights Community (NIHRCO)has advocated the deployment of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) in the country’s local government elections, saying its deployment in Ekiti local government election inspired confidence.
They called on the National Assembly to create special intervention funds to assist the state electoral commission to meet democratic obligations in line with the fiscal support given by the federal government to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The group which reacted to the outcome of last Saturday local government election held in Ekiti State, hailed the conduct of the exercise, describing it as peaceful, devoid of violence and rigging while the outcome represents the freewill of the voters.
NIHRCO, which monitored the election in 177 wards, 22 LCDAs and 16 LGAs of the state, stressed the need for other state governments yet to conduct council polls to do so, saying local government administration is essential to democracy and development.
The group in a statement signed by its programme officers, Mr Taiwo Adeleye and Fredrick Ojinika made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti said the exercise has once again demonstrated the quality of leadership in the state.
It said the local government election was not perfect, but it represented a remarkable achievement in building sustainable democratic culture in Nigeria.