Grop tasks INEC on credible Anambra guber poll

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the Saturday’s Anambra governorship election is free, fair and credible.

Mrs Ene Obi, the leader of the group said this in a statement made available to our reporter on Friday in Awka.

Obi said that the Civil Society Situation Room would hold INEC accountable for its commitment towards the conduct of credible governorship election in Anambra.

She said that the group would examine critical areas in the conduct of the election to enable it assess the performance of INEC.

Obi said that the group would monitor the efficacy of the new Bi-modal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) to ascertain its efficacy.

“We commended the people of Anambra for their commitment to the democratic process in the State in spite of the prevailing challenges.

“The demonstration of the political class and their faithful was a clear indication of political maturity by Anambra electorate,” she said.

She disclosed that the Situation Room would work with over 70 partners and networks to observe the election and receive reports from across the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

Obi said that the group appreciated the efforts of the security agencies to maintain law and order and assurances that they were fully prepared for the election.

She said that with the INEC assurance that logistics and deployment were fully under its control it would be expected that all electoral activities would commence simultaneously in the state.

Obi said the group expected an improved administration and management of the 2021 Anambra governorship election and would also keep a close eye on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal as an additional layer of accountability and transparency in the election.

“We believe that all security agencies will be deployed effectively across the state, taking cognisance of the remote and riverline areas, as well as security flash points,” she said.

Obi said that for election to be credible, rules of engagement needed to be strictly adhered to, adding that any default should be documented as evidence of violence, infractions and perpetrators legally handled.

“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,” she said.

Obi reminded the politicians that the election was not worth the blood of any person and Nigerians at large.

“Parties and their candidates should uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and contents of the Peace Accord they entered into in the full view of the world.

“The Situation Room finally enjoin all eligible voters in Anambra to come out and effectively participate in the process of electing a leader of their choice for the state,” she said.