Women’s Participation: NWTF Deploys 100 Observers For Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi Elections
The Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) through its initiative, Gender and Election Watch (GEW) has said that it has deployed 100 accredited and citizens observers across Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states for the November 11, 2023 off-cycle governorship election.
The effort according to the initiative is to gather information and carry out analysis on women’s participation in the elections in comparison to men as well as the assessment of all critical components of the electoral processes for action and advisory towards a more vibrant democratic governance in Nigeria.
A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer GEW Situation Room, Brenda Anugwom, said it will receive feedback from its deployed accredited observers through the use of an electronic gender-based checklist.
“GEW will watch and harvest critical data on the participation of women and other vulnerable groups in this election and will carry out its analysis based on the Electoral Act (2022) as amended.
“The analysis of this feedback forms the basis for NWTF GEW statements on the conduct of the election on 11 November 2023, especially around the participation of women and other vulnerable groups,” the statement said.
The statement further revealed that the NWTF’s GEW Room will closely observe the election day performance of voters, candidates, and electoral officials from a gender perspective.
It will also pay attention to the adherence to the operational guidelines for the elections and assess how all elements of the election process impact all stakeholders from a gender perspective.
“NWTF’s GEW will closely watch the efficiency and effectiveness of technology deployed for the electoral process by INEC as well as the operations of all critical stakeholders in the states. We will not hesitate to call out any political party indulging in electoral malpractice,” it said.
While commending the preparedness of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the group urged that priority voting should be accorded to pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly and persons with disabilities in line with the Amended Electoral Act 2022.
