Gender Election Watch deploys 350 observers for Saturday’s polls

By Taiye Agbaje

The Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) Gender and Election Watch (GEW) Room says it has deployed no fewer than 350 accredited observers across the six geo-political zones for Saturday’s elections.

The GEW made this known in a pre-election statement on the 2023 governorship and state house of assembly elections on Friday, signed by Mufuliat Fijabi, the Chief Executive Officer of NWTF.

Fijabi said in the statement that the team would monitor the polls in seven states — Lagos, Oyo, Kano, Rivers, Adamawa, Kogi and Anambra.

“NWTF GEW is receiving feedback from its deployed accredited observers through its use of an electronic gender-based checklist.

“The analysis of this feedback forms the basis for NWTF GEW statements on the conduct of the elections on 18 March 2023, especially around the participation of women and other vulnerable groups.

“Additionally, NWTF’s GEW Room will closely observe the election day performance of voters, candidates, and electoral officials from a gender perspective.

“NWTF’s GEW will also pay attention to the adherence to the operational guidelines for the elections,” she said

 Fijabi urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the fulfilment of the electoral guidelines and most importantly an improved performance over the Feb. 25 polls.

She also called on the security agencies to be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties and allay the fears of voters, especially women, throughout the duration of the elections.

(NAN)