1. ELECTORAL RISK MANAGEMENT ELECTION DAY REPORT ON 2015 PRESIDENTIAL AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS Incidents of Violence and Theft of Election Materials Prepared by: INEC Electoral Risk Management (ERM) Team April 7, 2015

2. Introduction The Independent National Electoral Commission is implementing an Electoral Risk Management (ERM) project to support its activities during the 2015 national and State elections using the Electoral Risk Management Tool (ERMTool). In the run-up to the elections, the ERM team identified and analysed a series of risk factors and indicators covering the pre-election period. The subsequent risk alerts were shared with the INEC leadership to help improve their situational awareness in the lead-up to election. For the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections, the ERM team identified a number of election day and post election factors to analyse during and immediately after the election. The team moved into the INEC situation room on March 27 and remained in place until the announcement of final election results on March 31/April 1. During this time, the team produced a series of risk alerts that were shared with the INEC leadership. This report is a compilation of all risk alerts produced – along with analysis and recommendations aimed at improving the conduct of the State elections scheduled for April 11, 2015. Methodology and Data Sources : The ERM team established a desk in the INEC situation room from March 27-March 31. The team was composed of seven INEC staff members and was supervised by the Chief Technical Adviser to the INEC Chairman. The team received additional support from the International IDEA programme officer as well as the IFES Electoral Security Expert. The team developed risk alerts by collecting data from ERM desk officers, INEC supervisors in the field, the Election Operation Supports Center (EOSC) desk in the situation room, the INEC Citizens Call Centre (ICCC) in the situation room as well as through online sources such as the media and social media (for incidents of electoral violence). To source data in the field, particularly on election day, the ERM team used the ERM desk officers and INEC supervisors. A plan to collect data from the field through online questionnaires was only partially successful due to the lack of internet connectivity in the situation room on election day. As a result, the majority of the information obtained from the field was via telephone interviews at regular intervals using pre-prepared questionnaires to obtain information. It should be noted that data obtained from the field is not necessarily comprehensive, but represents the information Field Officers had at hand at the time of the telephone interviews. Any information obtained via social media platforms to identify incidents of election-related violence were only included once the information had been confirmed or verified by an official or secondary source in the media or from official Statements. Numerical values and Risk Values: The values in each of the maps were developed in the election day operational plan developed prior to election day.

3. ELECTION DAY ALERTS

4. MEDIUM: Isolated reported shortages HIGH: Major shortages LOW: No reported shortages RISK LEVEL 5 LGAs reporting that they do not have incident report forms Reported shortages of ballot papers across the State Reported shortages of material across the State Reports of shortages of results forms in Ukwa West (whole LGA) Data source: ERM State desk officers based in State Election Operations Support Centre (phone interviews) ERM RISK MAP ON AVAILABILITY OF ELECTION MATERIALS AS AT 2pm Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 28 th March

5. MEDIUM: 0-1% of PUs reporting absence of personnel HIGH: More than 1% of PUs reporting absence of personnel LOW: No reported absences of personnel RISK LEVEL Data source: ERM State desk officers based in State Election Operations Support Centre (phone interviews) ERM RISK MAP ON PRESENCE OF SECURITY PERSONNEL 28 th March Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 28 th March

6. MEDIUM: 75-100% of PUs voting HIGH: Less than 75% of PUs voting LOW: All PUs voting as of 5pm RISK LEVEL Data source: ERM State desk officers based in State Election Operations Support Centre (phone interviews) No election in Udu LGA House of Reps Election Postponed till Sunday 29th 2015 ERM RISK MAP ON START OF VOTING AS AT 5pm Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 28 th March

7. MEDIUM: Isolated shortages HIGH: Major shortages LOW: No reported shortages RISK LEVEL Data source: ERM State desk officers based in State Election Operations Support Centre (phone interviews) Reported shortages of ballot papers across the State ERM RISK MAP ON AVAILABILITY OF MATERIAL AS OF 5PM Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 28 th March

8. ERM RISK MAP ON SUCCESSFUL ACCREDITATION Anambra Awka-Ibom RISK LEVEL MEDIUM (1-5% OF PUS REPORTING AUTHENTICATION FAILURE) HIGH (6-100% OF PUS REPORTING AUTHENTICATION FAILURE ) LOW (0-1% OF PU REPORTING AUTHENTICATION FAILURE ) High percentage of failed finger print authentication of votes in majority of the States. But no issues reported with voter card verification as of 1PM Data source: ERM Desk Officers in the State Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 28 th March

9. ERM RISK MAP ON CLOSE OF VOTING AS OF 6PM Mapped by INEC-ERM Team 29 th March 2015 RISK LEVEL MEDIUM (VOTING FINISHED IN 80-99% OF PUS) HIGH (VOTING FINISHED IN 0-79% OF PUS) LOW (VOTING FINISHED IN ALL PUS) Data source: ERM Desk Officers in the State

10. ERM RISK MAP ON NUMBER OF PUS STILL COUNTING VOTES AS OF 8PM ON MARCH 28 Mapped by INEC-ERM Team 29 th March 2015 RISK LEVEL MEDIUM (COUNTING FINISHED IN 80-99% OF PUS) HIGH (COUNTING FINISHED IN 0-79% OF PUS) LOW (COUNTING FINISHED IN ALL PUS) Data source: ERM Desk Officers in the State

11. POST-ELECTION ALERTS

12. Developed by INEC-ERM Team 30 th March 2015 RISK LEVEL MEDIUM (StateS YET TO DELIVER RESULT SHEET) LOW (StateS THAT HAVE DELIVERED THE RESULT SHEET) OYO VALID VOTES: 928,606 INVALID VOTES: 47,254 OSUN VALID VOTES: 642,615 INVALID VOTES: 20,758 OGUN VALID VOTES: 533,17 INVALID VOTES: 26,441 ONDO VALID VOTES: 561,056 INVALID VOTES: 21,379 EKITI VALID VOTES: 300,691 INVALID VOTES: 8,754 NASSARAWA VALID VOTES: 511,547 INVALID VOTES: 10,094 FCT VALID VOTES: 306,805 INVALID VOTES: 9210 KOGI VALID VOTES: 421,328 INVALID VOTES: 17,959 ENUGU VALID VOTES: 306,805 INVALID VOTES: 9210 ERM RISK MAP ON COLLATION OF ELECTION RESULTS AT 1PM

13. INCIDENTS RELATED TO ELECTION DAY AND THE POST-ELECTION PERIOD

14. RISK MAPS ON ELECTION RELATED VIOLENT INCIDENTS The Risk Maps in the following pages show results of data gathered on election related violence that occurred during the election and post-election periods. No colour code is given to the map. The maps highlight number of incidents that occurred in the States as well as type of incidents. Description boxes on the map provide more information on the incidents. Maps were from the 28 th of March till the 30 th of March.

15. 1 PDP member was murdered in Ikirun, Ifelodun LGA of Osun State by unknown gunmen Boko Haram attack two PUs in Birnin Bolawa and Birin Fulani in Nafada district. At least 2 people reported dead Reports of violent incidents in Katcha LGA, Ward 1, Unit 005 and 007 Gunmen shoot at a team of policemen and military police escorting INEC officials to their PU at Ikwerre LGA Explosions at a PU in Umuokpara Primary School, ward 1, Awka, Anambra Data Source: ERM State Desk Officers based in State Election Operations Support Centre, Media reports - Number of Incidents Key: - Bombing incident # Boko Haram attack voters in Ngalda LGA, 3 people reported killed. One person shot dead at Eleme LGA by an army official 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 2 ERM RISK MAP ON ELECTION DAY VIOLENT INCIDENTS AS OF 4PM 1 Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 28 th March # Number of incidents as at 4pm 20 incidents

16. Boko Haram attack two PUs in Birnin Bolawa and Birin Fulani in Nafada district. At least 2 people reported dead Gunmen shoot at a team of policemen and military police escorting INEC officials to their PU at Ikwerre LGA Data Source: ERM State Desk Officers based in State Election Operations Support Centre, Media reports Boko Haram attack voters in Ngalda LGA, 3 people reported killed. Two people shot dead at Eleme LGA. 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 3 3 - Number of Incidents Key: - Bombing incident # 2 7 election officials beaten and materials snatched at Moba LGA, Ward 11. 1 Snatching of ballot box at gunpoint in AMAC, Gui unit 3 Threat and destruction of materials before voting proceeded at PU 18/21/02/013 and 18/03/03/010 1 1 1 Poll pfficial held hostage in Yola North, Doubeli ward, PU 001 ERM RISK MAP ON ELECTION DAY VIOLENT INCIDENTS AS OF 7PM Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 28 th March Number of incidents as at 7pm 31 incidents

17. Boko Haram attack two PUs in Birnin Bolawa and Birin Fulani in Nafada district. At least 2 people reported dead Gunmen shoot at a team of policemen and military police escorting INEC officials to their PU at Ikwerre LGA Data Source: ERM State Desk Officers based in State Election Operations Support Centre, Media reports Boko Haram attack voters in Ngalda LGA, 3 people reported killed. Two people shot dead at Eleme LGA. 2 4 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 3 - Number of Incidents Key: - Bombing incident # 2 7 election officials beaten and materials snatched at Moba LGA, Ward 11. 1 Snatching of ballot box at gunpoint in AMAC, Gui unit 4 Threat and destruction of materials before voting proceeded at PU 18/21/02/013 and 18/03/03/010 1 1 1 Poll official held hostage in Yola North, Doubeli ward, PU 001 1 1 ERM RISK MAP ON ELECTION DAY VIOLENT INCIDENTS AS OF 8PM Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 28 th March Number of incidents as at 8pm 35 incidents

18. 30 March: A protester is shot dead by a military officer at INEC headquarters Bauchi 30 March: Female members of APC, protested in Port Harcourt calling for cancellation of the election Data Source: ERM State Desk Officers, Media reports 1 1 1 1 - Number of Incidents Key: # There have been reports of post- election protests in Oyo, Osun, Enugu, Abia, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau and Rivers State. 2 1 1 2 ERM RISK MAP ON POST- ELECTION VIOLENT INCIDENTS FROM MARCH 29 th to 30th Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 30 th March Number of Post Election violent incidents 10 incidents

19. RISK MAPS ON THEFT OF ELECTION MATERIALS The Risk Maps in the following pages show results of data gathered on reports of theft or snatching of Ballot Papers, Ballot Boxes, Card Readers, Result Forms and other sensitive material across the 6 geo-political zones, during the result collation and counting process. A 2-risk level scale is applied to this risk factor. Any incident of Election Material theft is recorded as high risk, while non occurrence is recorded as low risk. States with no data are not assigned any colour code. The data may not be comprehensive but represents the reports the ERM team collected from INEC field staff. Data was gathered and recorded as at 9pm of 29 th April 2015.

20. HIGH: Reports of theft LOW: No reports RISK LEVEL Data source: ERM State desk officers; INEC State supervisors; Taraba 1)Reports that voting materials were snatched from officials of a PU in Kasim Lamido LGA 2)Reports that election materials were snatched and burnt and INEC officials were beaten at RA 04 PU 005 in Ibbi LGA Adamawa 1)Reports that results sheets were snatched (EC8B) in Pallam RA, Madaggali LGA 2)Reports of snatching of sensitive material in Numan LGA RA 10 PU 005 Bauchi 1)Reports that SPOs ran away with results sheets but they were replaced and the culprits arrested in Bauchi LGA (EC8A) THEFT OF ELECTORAL MATERIAL – NORTH-EAST ZONE Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 29 th March

21. HIGH: Reports of theft LOW: No reports RISK LEVEL Data source: ERM State desk officers; INEC State supervisors; FCT 1)Reports of ballot box snatching at AMAC (PU 007) Gui Nassarawa 1)Reports of materials hijacked and results cancelled in Agwantashi ward in Obi LGA. 2)Reports that election was cancelled due to the theft of sensitive material in Adudoimo PU in Obi LGA Benue 1)Reports of burnt card reader in Nyiev ward in Guma LGA 2)Reports of results sheet snatching at Gwer East LGA (PU 07/07/05/004) 3)Reports that 6 PUs in a ward did not vote 4)Reports that office INEC was using in Logo LGA was burnt. 5)Reports that 2 INEC Ad Hoc staff were killed. Niger 1)Reports that in 10 polling units, ballot boxes were hijacked and burnt in Gbako LGA. The following PUs affected: 26/08/04/003, 26/08/04/004, 26/08/04/005, 26/08/04/008, 26/08/05/004, 26/08/06/001, 26/08/06/003, 26/08/06/006 and 26/08/10/004 Kogi 1)Reports that results were burnt at the Ofu LGA collation centre Plateau 1)Reports of card readers destroyed in Shaubutu and Danto wards in Riyom LGA 2)Reports that all polling material including card readers were destroyed in Bun Ward, Riyom LGA THEFT OF ELECTORAL MATERIAL – NORTH CENTRAL ZONE Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 29 th March

22. HIGH: Reports of theft LOW: No reports RISK LEVEL THEFT OF ELECTORAL MATERIAL – NORTH-WEST ZONE Data source: ERM State desk officers; INEC State supervisors; SOKOTO 1.2 ballot box snatched in Sokoto North LGA 2. 2 incident of Ballot paper snatching in Shagari LGA 3. 2 Smart Card Reader incident damaged in Sokoto North LGA KANO 1.Snatching of SCR at Minjibir LGA 19/30/012 2. Ballot papers destroyed at Rogo LGA 19/20/003 3. Ballot box Burnt at Kabo LGA 19/20/00 KADUNA 1. Ballot paper snatched before counting in PU 018, RA 05 in LGA KATSTINA 1.2 ballot box snatched in Sokoto North LGA Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 29 th March

23. HIGH: Reports of theft LOW: No reports RISK LEVEL Data source: ERM State desk officers; INEC State supervisors; Imo 1)Reports that material was snatched at Mbaitoli Abia 1)Reports that results sheets were not released to many PUs. 2)In Aba South LGA, no collation officers were deployed to the field. 3)In Osisioma and Isiala Ngwa LGAs reports of thefts of ballot boxes. Additional reports that trained SPOs and NYSC members were not used/replaced. 4)Reports of ballot snatching in Aruchukwu 01/03/06/004 5)Reports of fake collation officers with fake phone numbers in most LGAs 6)Reports of widespread snatching of ballots and results forms. 7)No E-tracking and forwarding of scanned form ECSA in Ohafia, Arochukwu, Umahia North and Umhia South LGAs Anambra 1)No data Ebonyi 1)Reports that the vehicle conveying POs and APOs was vandalised and electoral materials snatched for PUs 001-006 in Ikwo LGA, Expanwudele 004 THEFT OF ELECTORAL MATERIAL – SOUTH EAST ZONE Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 29 th March

24. HIGH: Reports of theft LOW: No reports RISK LEVEL Cross River 1)In Akankpa LGA, where voting was due to take place on 29 March, ballot papers for 2 wards were hijacked before reaching the PUs. The ballots were reportedly pre-marked at the LGA Chairman’s house. 2)In Calabar municipality, 4 results sheet were stolen by a Corper. The collation officer declared the results missing. The results were later recovered, but the CO refused to accept them. The 4 results sheets would change the outcome of the election and result in a victory for the Labour party. Labour party supporters are currently protesting outside the INEC LGA office and making threats. Edo 1)In LGA Igueben: Ward 9 Unit 1 & 2; Ward 10 unit 4; Ward 5 unit 4: fighting led to the prevention of fighting preventing results from coming out Commission investigating 2)Reports of violence breaking out in Akoko LGA in RA9, PU 011 which forced poll officials to run for protection and they abandoned senstive materials. When they returned ballots were thumbprinted so the election was not conducted. Data source: ERM State desk officers; INEC State supervisors; Bayelsa 1)Reports of snatching of materials at Yenagoa, Ward 5, unit 15 and 16 THEFT OF ELECTORAL MATERIAL – SOUTH SOUTH ZONE Mapped by INEC ERM Team on 29 th March

25. Reports of theft or snatching of ballots, ballot boxes, card readers, results sheets and other sensitive material HIGH: Reports of theft LOW: No reports RISK LEVEL Theft/Destruction of Electoral Material –South West Mapped by INEC-ERM team on 29March 2015 Data source: ERM state desk officers; INEC state supervisors. EKITI 1)Reports of snatching of 5 card readers at Moba LGA, Ward 7, Unit 009. The card readers were later recovered ONDO 1)Reports of snatching of ballot box at Ilaje LGA, Ward 5, unit 17. 2)Report of snatching of a card reader at Akure South LGA, Ward 9 OSUN 1)Reports of snatching of ballot box at Ife South LGA, Ward 10, unit 003.

26. POST-ELECTION ANALYSIS

27. Less than 30% Legend Voter turnout: March 28, 2015 presidential elections Mapped by INEC-ERM team on 31March 2015 Data source: INEC 31%-40% 41%-50% 51%-60% Over 60% National Average: 47.09%

28. Less than 30% Legend ERM RISK MAP ON VOTER TURNOUT: MARCH 28, 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS Mapped by INEC-ERM team on 31 March 2015 Data source: INEC Note: percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number 31%-40% 41%-50% 51%-60% Over 60% % % turnout National Average: 47.09% #

29. ERM RISK MAP ON NUMBER OF VALID AND REJECTED VOTES CAST Developed by INEC-ERM Team 31 th March 2015 391,04510,004 VALID VOTES 1,017,06411,487 688,58414,825 573,17312,459 306,8059,210 1,617,48232,719 1,449,42632,288 421,32817,959 440,08021,321 511,54710,094 533,17226,441 881,35247,254 561,05621,379 642,61520,758 982,388 18,30 4 702,96428,957 1,037,56434,325 2,128,82143,626 636,01825,192 1,565,461`19,307 450,51415,392 460,59912,845 367,0674,672 1,443,68652,289 813,67131,012 1,267,77317,075 834,25942,110 579,67723,039 500,45122,334 473,79617,971 1,020,33819,437 683,26419,867 677,00338,119 761,02219,159 LEGEND REJECTED VOTES Data source: INEC

30. Legend ERM RISK MAP PERCENTAGE REJECTED VOTES: MARCH 28, 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS Mapped by INEC-ERM team on 2 April Data source: INEC Note: Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number Below 3% % rejected votes National Total Rejected Ballots: 844,519 National Percentage Rejected Ballots: 2.87% 3-4% 5% and above % #

31. ERM RISK MAP ON CANCELLED ELECTIONS IN POLLING UNITS Mapped by INEC-ERM Team 31 th March 2015 ELECTIONS CANCELLED:AKOKO EDO,ETSAKO EAST,ETSAKO WEST,IGUEBEN,IKPOBA:OKHA,OREDO, ORHIONMON PUS INVOLVED:275 VOTES AFFECTED:148,980 CANCELLED:ALKALERI,BOGORO,DARAZO, GAMAWA,ITAS/GADAU,KIRFI,MISAU,TAFAWA BALEWA,TORO,WARJI PUS:54 VOTES AFFECTED:27,947 ELECTIONS AFFECTED:AKKO,BALANGA,BILLIRI,DUKKU,FUN AKAYE,GOMBE,KALTUNGO,NAFADA, YALMALTU/DEBA PUS INVOLVED: 73 VOTES AFFECTED:32,511 ELECTIONS CANCELLED:DEMSA,FUFORE,GIREI, MADAGALI,MAIHA,MUBI NORTH,NUMAN PUS INVOLVED:37 VOTES AFFECTED: 18,114 ELECTIONS AFFECTED:AKKO,BALANGA,BILLIRI,DUKKU,FUN AKAYE,GOMBE,KALTUNGO,NAFADA, YALMALTU/DEBA PUS INVOLVED: 73 VOTES AFFECTED:32,511 ELECTIONS CANCELLED:ANKA,BIRNIN MAGAJI,BUKKUYUM,GUSAU,KAURA, NAMODA,MARADUN,MARU,ZURMI PUS INVOLVED:31 VOTES AFFECTED: 13,965 ELECTIONS AFFECTED: IGABI, KACHIA, KAGARKO, KUDAN, SABON GARI,SANGA,SOBA,ZANGON KATAF PUS INVOLVED:38 VOTES AFFECTED:27,482 ELECTIONS AFFECTED: BWARI, MUNICIPAL PUS INVOLVED: 3 VOTES AFFECTED: 7,266 AFFECTED: AKWANGA,AWE,DOMA, KARU,KEANA,KEFFI,KOKONA,LAFIA, NASARAWA,NASARAWA EGGON,OBI,TOTO, WAMBA PU AFFECTED: 32 TOTAL: 79,386 ELECTIONS CANCELLED: SAKI WEST, AFIJIO, IBADAN NORTH PUS INVOLVED:4 VOTES AFFECTED:1850 ELECTIONS CANCELLED:AKOKO EDO,ETSAKO EAST,ETSAKO WEST,IGUEBEN,IKPOBA:OKHA,OREDO, ORHIONMON PUS INVOLVED:275 VOTES AFFECTED:148,980 ELECTIONS CANCELLED: ABAKALIKI, IKWO, OHAOZARA, ONICHA PUS INVOLVED: 38 VOTES AFFECTED: 23,551 ELECTIONS AFFECTED: ISU (UMUNDUGBA), OWERRI NORTH, AHIAZU MBAISE, EZINIHITE MBAISE PUS INVOLVED: 54 VOTES AFFECTED: 30,353 Data source: INEC

32. Less than 1,000 votes Legend: votes affected by cancellation ERM RISK MAP NUMBER OF VOTES AFFECTED BY CANCELLATIONS: MARCH 28, 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS Mapped by INEC-ERM team on 2 April Data source: INEC Note: States without values recorded no cancellations 1,001 – 5,000 votes 5,001 – 10,000 votes 10,001 – 25,000 votes 25,001 – 50,000 votes # Number of votes affected National Total: 689,498 50,001 – 100,000 votes Over 100,000 votes

33. Less than 1,000 voters Legend: voters who were accredited but did not vote ERM RISK MAP NUMBER OF VOTERS ACCREDITED THAT DID NOT VOTE: MARCH 28, 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS Mapped by INEC-ERM team on 2 April Data source: INEC 25,001 – 50,000 voters N Number of voters National Total:2,314,407 50,001 – 100,000 voters Over 100,000 voters

34. ERM RISK MAP ELECTION RESULTS Mapped by INEC-ERM team on 3 April Data source: INEC States won by APC States won by PDP

35. States won by APC (56-65% of the vote) Legend ERM RISK MAP ELECTION RESULTS – MARGIN OF VOTES Mapped by INEC-ERM team on 3 April Data source: INEC States won by APC (55% or less of the vote) States won by APC (over 65% of the vote) States won by PDP (55% or less of the vote) States won by PDP (56-65% of the vote) States won by PDP (over 65% of the vote)

36. States won by APC (56-65% of the vote) Legend ERM RISK MAP ELECTION RESULTS – MARGIN OF VOTES Mapped by INEC-ERM team on 3 April Data source: INEC Note: All percentages have been rounded to nearest whole number Note: In States that do not display % vote obtained by other parties this means those parties obtained less thatn 1% combined States won by APC (55% or less of the vote) States won by APC (over 65% of the vote) States won by PDP (55% or less of the vote) States won by PDP (56-65% of the vote) States won by PDP (over 65% of the vote) % % % % vote obtained by APC % vote obtained by PDP % vote obtained by all other parties

37. ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

38. Analysis and Recommendations Availability of election material Overall, election material was available in sufficient quantities throughout the country although there were some States such as Abia, Adamawa, Kano and Sokoto that reported systematic shortages. In addition to this, there were widespread isolated reports of shortages of the following material: ballot papers, results sheets and incident forms. While these were not systematic they may have had an impact on the conduct of the vote. In addition to this, all observer reports – both domestic and international – noted that INEC officials and/or material arrived late and contributed to the late opening of polling units throughout the country. This trend created bottlenecks and resulted in the late start of accreditation, voting, counting and possibly contributed to the high number of persons who were accredited, but did not vote (2,314,407 persons). The following recommendations are aimed at the logistics department at all levels: Ensure all election material is available in sufficient quantity by Wednesday 8 March at the latest to allow sufficient time for INEC to make up any shortfalls. Develop checklists to enable INEC staff to verify the availability of election material at each stage of the logistics chain. Ensure transport plans are in place to deliver election material in time for their deployment to polling units. Ensurethat RAC centers are properly put into use and that RAC supervisors are adequately prepared to coordinate the distribution of election material in time for poll opening. Presence of security personnel Overall, there were very few reports of polling units without security personnel and a similar plan should be employed for the governorship elections. Despite this, there were incidents of election related violence and theft of election material (see below). The following recommendations are aimed at the ICCES: Ensure that security personnel are reinforced in States that recorded incidents of election-related violence (see below). Increase the presence of security personnel in States that are high risk ahead of the governorship elections. Ensure security personnel remain deployed in populous areas during the collation period and after the announcement of election results. Card Readers Despite a few high-profile incidents, overall there were very few reports of verification failure across the country. There were however delays created by poor configuration of card readers, the non-activation of SIM cards, and the non-availability of card readers at the start of accreditation. In addition to this, there were widespread reports of card reader authentication failures. While some incidents of authentication failure may be related to data capture during voter registration, other problems may have been related to the lack of capacity of the users. The following recommendations are for the governorship elections and are mostly directed at the ICT department at national and State level: Ensure all card readers are properly configured and contain activated SIM cards through testing each card reader before deployment. Recharge batteries ahead of the governorship elections. Ensure functional card readers are available in sufficient quantities. Prepare a short flyer for poll workers with basic instructions on the use of the card readers with basic troubleshooting tips for common issues that can be easily resolved, tips could include when and how to use the incident form. Ensure poll workers are aware of the purpose of incident forms and that the forms are available in sufficient quantities to avoid long delays. If possible, provide additional training to poll workers on the use of card readers.

39. Election-related violence Overall, the March 28 elections were peaceful, particularly when put into the context of Nigeria’s security challenges due to the insurgency and its history of violent elections. However, there were a number (96) of high profile incidents, alongside other (more widespread) reports of intimidation of INEC ad hoc staff. In some areas, these incidents led to the cancellation of elections. The following recommendations are aimed at improving security and are directed at INEC and security agencies: Reinforce the presence of security personnel in places that experienced cancellations due to violence and other areas that experienced violence. Ensure security after election-day at collation centres and populous areas including after the announcement of election results. Prosecute those responsible for election-related violence during the March 28 elections. Theft/destruction of election material Overall, most of the reports of theft and/or destruction of election material appear to have been isolated incidents. However there are signs that some INEC ad hoc staff were implicated in things like the theft of results forms. In view of the upcoming elections, it is recommended that: INEC ad hoc staff are reminded of their roles and responsibilities as well possible sanctions for electoral offences. Identify any INEC personnel involved in any incidents during the March 28 elections and ensure they are (i) blacklisted from the INEC database, and (ii) prosecuted for their alleged offences.. Rejected votes Overall there were 844,519 rejected votes during the March 28 election. While this figure is not high compared to other elections in Nigeria and around the world, certain areas recorded a higher percentage of rejected votes – these include: Enugu, Kebbi, Kwara, Ogun, Oyo and Sokoto. Reinforce voter education, particularly in the above mentioned States to ensure voters are aware of how to mark their ballots properly. Cancelled elections During the March 28 elections, cancellations affected just over 1,000 polling units representing over 600,000 votes. The most affected States were Benue, Delta, Edo and Nasarawa (over 50,000 votes affected) and to a lesser extent Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna and Niger (over 25,000 votes affected). The reasons for the cancellations are not known but are broadly related to the absence of material and/or personnel; security; lack of poll worker capacity to correctly complete forms; and election fraud. Ahead of the April 11 election, INEC should: Identify the reasons for cancellations and where appropriate, put in place measures to ensure this is not repeated. In cases where logistical arrangements led to cancellation, ensure plans are in place so that elections hold. Difference between accredited voters and votes cast A very high number of persons who were accredited did not end up casting their vote (2,314,407 potential voters). This issue was widespread, but Kano, Lagos, Oyo and Sokoto were particularly affected. Two of these States are the most populous in in the country and Lagos recorded and this may have been due to impatience due to slow accreditation and/or the late start of accreditation. INEC should: Rectify logistical issues that may have contributed to slow accreditation and voting. Remind poll workers to manage queues effectively and use incident forms after 2 authentication failures (rather that attempting multiple times) to speed up the process.