WILPF NIGERIA OBERVES ELECTIONS IN ANAMBRA STATE
The Women’s Situation Room Nigeria in preparation for the Anambra elections held a stakeholders dialogue on the 11th of October 2017. In attendance were representatives from religious and traditional institutions, political parties, INEC, security agencies, civil society and other groups. As a result of tension on ground the WSRN opened her toll free hotline four weeks ahead of time to receive reports from the ground on the evolving pre-election situation in Anambra. A total of 352 calls were received. The incidents reported received were predominately on fear of possible breakout of violence during the elections, viral inciteful messages, alleged citing and seizure of electoral materials amongst others. The physical Women’s Situation Room for the Anambra State elections was set up and running from the 18th of November 2017 in Awka in order to monitor the election process for the state. WSRN deployed a team of 54 all-female observers who were trained before the Election Day and a team of roving observers. These observers monitored the elections covering the 21 local government areas of Anambra state. At the end of the voting process, it was observed that the election was free and fair and also recorded peaceful.
