A civil society organisation, Policy and Legislative Advocacy Centre (PLAC), has faulted the public holiday declared by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, ahead of Saturday’s area council elections in the territory.
Executive Director of PLAC, Mr Clement Nwankwo, while speaking with newsmen on Friday in Abuja, said that the public holiday and movement restriction announced only hours before the scheduled election were too sudden.
Nwankwo described the late-night announcement as arbitrary and lacking adequate notice, noting that it created anxiety among residents who were preparing to participate in the electoral process while maintaining their daily routines.
“The unexpected decision disrupted normal activities across the city, affecting schools, hospitals, banks and other essential services.
“Many residents had prior commitments and emergencies to attend to, making the abrupt shutdown difficult to manage.
“This development is particularly unusual for Abuja, where a full-day shutdown of the city ahead of an election has not been previously experienced.
“The declaration risked discouraging voter turnout by creating fear, uncertainty and logistical challenges for residents,” he said.
The PLAC executive director also raised concerns over the absence of a clearly-stated legal basis for the directive, calling on authorities to treat citizens with respect and provide sufficient notice for measures that significantly affect their daily life.
He recommended that the restrictions be limited to essential hours, allowing voters to cast their ballots and return to their normal activities without unnecessary disruption.
According to him, prolonged shutdowns can undermine public confidence and participation in the democratic process.
On his expectations from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nwankwo urged the commission to improve the electoral process and ensure a smooth and credible exercise.
He also called on the electoral body, under its new leadership, to strengthen election management and address lingering the concerns around the country’s electoral legal framework.
The FCT area council election, regarded as an important indicator ahead of future national polls, has continued to generate debates over the balance between security measures and citizens’ freedom of movement during voting periods.
