Culled from Shutterfeeds Notes page on Facebook


Civil Society "Situation Room" interaction with INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega at the Immaculate Suites Hotel, Abuja on Monday 21st March 2011.


We are aware that some people are not great at reading vast lists; so we will provide a brief synopsis of some of the key issues, and what each of us can do to make the process better, after which we shall give a more detailed "tweet by tweet account". Please find below.



SYNOPSIS/KEY ISSUES/WHAT EACH OF US CAN DO TO HELP.



    * Public Officials have been banned from moving around with armed security details on election day(s). Kindly document any of such that you might find; with your mobile phone or camera.

    * The Open Ballot System will be used. This will go a long way in ensuring that the polls are more credible. It will be both fun and interesting to capture the atmosphere at at your local polling booths.

    * FourHours have been slated for Accreditation. Accreditation starts at 8 a.m and ends at 12 noon. This is a new procedure. Non-accredited voters will NOT be permitted to vote.

    * You may wish to remain at your local polling/collation centre to witness the counting of votes.

    * There will be restricted movement, so make arrangements to perhaps pass the night close to where you are registered to vote.

    * Professor Jega highlighted and clarified that voters WILL be allowed into their polling units with mobile phones.

As much as Shutterfeeds believes in the value of photographic documentation of the polls, it is important to note that we do not encourage members to constitute a nuisance; neither should we put our safety at serious risk.



@bubusn's tweets

    * #Jega "There is a profound commitment from overwhelming majority of Nigerians for free, fair and credible elections in April"

    * #Jega "We have the opportunity to do our best to get this right"

    * "INEC has been overwhelmed by d incredible support from Nigerians to contribute to ensuring free, fair & credible elections"

    * #Jega "We will ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders"

    * #Jega "A collective decision by all security agencies: Governors & other officials not allowed 2 move arnd w/ armed details on election day"

    * #Jega "Governors, other public officials have been advised to come, vote and go straight home. No moving around for 'monitoring'"

    * #Jega "Voting procedure will be 'Open Ballot System' (similar to what was used in 1993)"

    * #Jega #NewVotingProcedure YOU HAVE TO BE ACCREDITED 1ST! DO NOT COME TO VOTE AT your LEISURE! Accreditation begins 8am & ends at noon

    * #Jega If you are on the queue by 12 noon, you will be accredited. Voting starts 12:30pm. Only accredited voters can vote

    * #Jega AS MANY VOTERS MAY WISH TO REMAIN AFTER VOTING TO WITNESS THE COUNTING OF VOTES. RT this pls. (which we and 11 others Retweeted at the time we published this!)

    * #Jega Total votes cast should not exceed total number of voters accredited. If this happens, results will be nullified.

    * #Jega whr voters R likely 2 B disenfranchised by late arrival of voting materials, extensions'll B applied on a case by case basis

    * #Jega in PUs whr there are MANY registered voters, voters will be split across multiple polling clerks to speed things up

    * #Jega Most important process is ACCREDITATION.

    * #Jega if you want to vote, 1. YOU MUST BE ACCREDITED 2. YOU MUST BE ON THE QUEUE BY 12:30pm when voting commences. RT every1

    * #Jega we are deploying IT channels (SMS) for parallel collation of results. However collation will still be manual. Paper trail.

    * #Jega INEC Officials will be camped overnight at ward level instead of LGA level to increase likelihood of timeliness!

    * I just asked #Jega about restriction of movement on election day particularly affecting ppl who registered far from home.

    * I also asked #Jega about closure of Universities and arrangements for students who registered in such places to vote.

    * #Jega "Movement will B restricted 4 every1 on election day. Pls endeavor 2 srt off your day close 2 d polling unit whr u registered"

    * #Jega Unfortunately, these are challenges we face for now. Students who registered in school should stay back near school to vote there

    * #Jega INEC hopes to deal with these situations better in the future. No time to do it well this time.

    * #Jega INEC has established a situation room 4 all election days & secure lines 2 all RECs. Parallel tabulation of results'll B done thru SMS

    * #Jega Information from Police PRO and ACP in Rivers State about voters not allowed into polling unit with mobile phones IS WRONG!

    * That's what will happen. RT @sgmine: @bubusn We want the results counted at the polling centres, in the presence of the electorate

    * #Jega INEC guidelines will be issued on Wednesday. This will contain the correct information from INEC

    * #Jega INEC will make voters register accessible via website. Information is huge, but access from web is possible.

    * Nothing stops u from doing that! RT @sgmine: @bubusnThanks. We should also have video recordings of the count.

    * #Jega Police have received lots of funds to cater for their needs on election days.

    * #Jega INEC has also acquired 60 boats for riverine areas. Offer of support from Nigerian Navy too.

    * #Jega talking to us. INEC just bought 530 Hilux for elections. Objective: 1 per LGA. http://plixi.com/p/85745642

    * #Jega Navy support will include gun boats and helicopter gunships to escort boats where needed.

    * #Jega Airforce has also offered to help airlift materials into hard to reach areas.



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Shutterfeeds.

21st March 2011.



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