.. Tasks on credible election
By Reginald Oloko
As Imo governorship election is few weeks away stakeholders from the state have met in Owerri to brainstorm on possible ways to have a credible, peaceful , free and fair election come November 11.
The stakeholders meeting held at Rockview Hotel at the instance of Centre for Transparency Advocacy CTA witnessed representatives of security agencies, chairman of Imo Council of Traditional Rulers, Presidents General of Town Unions, Religious Organisations and leaders of Civil Societies.
In her welcome address, the Director General of Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Mrs Faith Nwadishi charged
the stakeholders to ensure votes count in the forthcoming imo governorship election that would be taking place in few weeks away.
In her words,’ Security is a critical aspect of the electoral process that requires attention during the entire electoral process and INEC has recently raised an alarm and fears indicating that insecurity may pose a great challenge to the governorship election. Citizens too have had cause to worry over the issue of insecurity in the state and if this is unchecked may discourage citizens from coming out to exercise their franchise on election day.
“We expect better synergy between the police, the lead security agency on election security and other members of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (|CCESS) with stakeholders on election. At least this will go a long way to instil confidence in the people prior, during election day and after election.
“CTA will be glad if the security agencies will share important information with other stakeholders, especially on flash points. Also, ensure that their personnel are properly trained in accordance with the following documents and policies on election security.
She cautioned over the level of misinformation peddled through social media even as she condemned money politics which presence of security agencies had never hampered. She urged various stakeholders to speed up sensitization against those factors that militate against credible election.
Speakers after speakers harped on the need to have peaceful, credible free and fair election come November 11.
While the security agencies led by Nigerian Police expressed their readiness to secure lives and property during the election.
The chief Imam Muslim Community in Imo, Suleiman Yusuf Njoku charged religious leaders to desist from campaigning for any candidate but only encourage their congregations to participate in voting exercise
Speaking the representative of chairman Imo Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Dele Odigbo stated that traditional rulers in the state have put in place a veritable platform to ensure credible election come November 11.
Contributing the state Comptroller Nigeria Immigration Service, Ezeugwu Nkechi said the establishment was always in touch with foreign nationals living in the state and assured none would be allowed to participate in the election.
