Presidential Poll: Variables That May Affect Exercise

AS Nigerians go to the polls today to elect their president and members of the National Assembly for the next four years, certain variables may make or mar the elections, considering the tensed political atmosphere in the country.

Despite assurances by security agencies and governments, it is obvious that from North to the South, there is tension and apprehension among party supporters and members, especially those of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the major opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is an election like never before, especially since 1999 and the stakes are higher. Every party member and candidates want his party to win, especially today’s presidential election which outcome may decide direction of the election of April 11.

Before today, these variables had played out across the country, but have been managed. As the presidential poll holds today, violence, card readers’ hiccups, undue security intervention, unguarded utterances and other election malpractices may make or mar the poll in some places.

Already, there are allegations and counter-allegations between APC and PDP accusing each other of planning to disrupt today’s election by causing violence in some states. States alleged to likely witness induced political violence include Rivers, Bayelsa, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Ekiti.

Apart from violence, there is the issue of the card readers’ effectiveness, and the transparency of the incidence form in the case of failure of the card readers. It is one issue many believe may likely bring differences among party agents at the polling units across the country. Already, so many registered voters across the country especially in the North have relocated to their home states for fear of election violence. It is of utmost importance to forestall these variables for the country to witness free, fair and credible election today.