The Gender and Election Watch (GEW) Room of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) has lamented the lapses of INEC in fulfilling its assurances of preparedness to Nigerians as complaints of INEC officials arriving late, faulty Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and lack of technical know-how of officials deployed to several polling units across the country were reported.

NWTF GEW 400 accredited observers across the six geopolitical zones of Adamawa, Kogi, Kano, Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory for the elections on Saturday, 25 February 2023 reported violence, fear and intimidation of women voters, snatching of ballot boxes by political party agents and thugs were also recorded.

GEW observers reported that the absence of security officials in some polling units left women voters open to attacks.

However, the determination of women voters to cast their votes despite challenges experienced, with heavy rainfall in some parts of FCT, Rivers, Anambra, and Lagos states was commended. The GEW has called on INEC to ensure BVAS & portals are fixed for optimal functionality.

Esther Alaribe
Women Radio 91.7
news@wfm917.com