As Anambra State, southeast Nigeria, gears up for its 2021 governorship election, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain a high level of transparency during the poll.
The election is scheduled to hold on 06 November amidst security concerns following a series of attacks on politicians, harmless and unarmed citizens and police officials by secessionist groups/supporters or armed assailants.
Briefing journalists in Awka, the Anambra State capital, the Convener of the Situation Room, Ene Obi, noted the tensed political environment that has trailed the election.
‘Situation Room calls on all security agencies to deploy effectively across the state, taking special cognisance of the remote and riverine areas, as well as security flash points, while adhering strictly to the rules of engagement’, Obi said.
‘We shall be observing the conduct of the security agencies. We further call on the police to document evidence of violence, infractions and their perpetrators and share this information with INEC, in order to speedily bring offenders to book’.
She disclosed that the Situation Room will work with her over 70 partners and networks to observe the election and receive reports from across the 21 local government areas of the state.
‘We call on the political parties to play by the rules and to support the conduct of a free, fair and credible election in Anambra State’, she added.
‘They should note that this election is not worth the blood of any citizen of Anambra State and Nigerians at large.
‘Parties and their candidates should uphold the spirit and contents of the peace accord they entered into in the full view of the world.
‘There is a moral and legal obligation to abide by this agreement and there will be consequences in this regard, in accordance to the provisions of the Electoral Act’.
She enjoined all eligible voters in Anambra to come out and effectively participate in the process of electing a leader of their choice for the state.
Photo source: Nwabu2010
