21 Die In Attacks During The Just Concluded 2023 Polls, Says Eu Mission

Twenty one people were killed during the just concluded 2023 polls, according to the EU election observation mission in its second preliminary report on the poll.

The EU mission said they all lost their lives on the day of the polls from thuggery and intimidation, and the disruption of voting in several polling units

It regards the polls as largely peaceful, but says the turnout of voters was very low.

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The EU mission also decries the abduction of candidates by gunmen, some of them killed as part of incidents which marred the polls.

It also said vote-buying was recorded in the election, affecting the proper conduct of the exercise.

The report reads partly, “The 25 February post-election environment was largely peaceful, with parties appealing to supporters for calm. However, a few days before the 18 March elections, violence abruptly increased with more than a dozen attacks;

“… and abductions of candidates by thugs and unidentified gunmen, some of which resulted in fatalities. Violence shortly before and on election day appeared to strategically suppress voter participation.”

“Overall, on election day, multiple incidents of thuggery and intimidation interrupted polling in various locations, primarily across the south but also in states in the central and northern areas. There were reportedly some 21 fatalities. In polling units in several states, violent incidents targeted voters, INEC personnel, citizen observers, and journalists.

“Most polling units opened with materials and personnel deployed on time, although a dismal level of voter participation meant less pressure on INEC operations throughout the day. Vote-buying, also observed by EU EOM observers, further detracted from the appropriate conduct of the elections.”