By JOHN ONAH, Abuja –
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said it is working with the National Peace Committee under the leadership of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar GCFR, to bring all political parties and candidates for the Anambra State Governorship election to commit to peace before, during, and after the elections.
INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this on Monday at a meeting with the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) on Anambra Governorship election.
According to him, the commission appreciate the wide-ranging support and wish to reassure the registered voters in Anambra State that the choice of the next Governor lies in their hands.
” I urge all and sundry to play their part in ensuring a free, fair, credible and peaceful governorship election in Anambra State”
Yakubu noted that the Commission has successfully completed 12 tasks out of 14 except 2 which are meant for the election day, stressing that INEC is determined and fully prepared to proceed with the Anambra Governorship election. He said the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner is with the commission to brief it of preparations as it is customary of the process before any election.
“The 2021 Anambra State Governorship election is held in the next 12 days on 6th November 2021. Our deployment of non-sensitive materials and training of personnel for the election have virtually been concluded. The Commission has successfully accomplished 12 out of the 14 activities listed in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election released in January this year.
The two outstanding activities are the last day of the campaign, at midnight on Thursday 4th November 2021, and Election Day which remains Saturday 6th November 2021. The REC for Anambra State is here to fully provide an update on the implementation of other activities and INEC’s general state of readiness for the election.
“INEC is determined to proceed with the Anambra State Governorship election as scheduled. The safety and protection of voters, our personnel, accredited observers, the media, and materials are cardinal considerations in any election.
We have been assured by the security agencies of a secure environment for the election. I am sure the CP Anambra State in his briefing, will provide more details regarding preparations on the ground. I wish to place on record the continued support of security agencies to the Commission during elections.
“Particularly noteworthy is the high level of professional conduct of the agencies in the last two major elections in Edo and Ondo States. Indeed, Edo and Ondo have become the standard for securing elections in Nigeria. The professionalism and neutrality exhibited by the security agencies in the two elections have been widely praised nationally and internationally. We are confident that this will be replicated in Anambra State”.
The Commission however said it wishes to register the profound gratitude of the Commission for the support they have received from religious, traditional, and community leaders for peaceful elections.
“The Commission is also working with the National Peace Committee under the leadership of our respected former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar GCFR, to bring all political parties and candidates for the Anambra State Governorship election to commit to peace before, during, and after the elections. We appreciate this wide-ranging support and I wish to reassure the registered voters in Anambra State that the choice of the next Governor lies in their hands. I urge all and sundry to play their part in ensuring a free, fair, credible, and peaceful Governorship election in Anambra State”, he said.
Responding to the Co-Chair of ICCES, Babagana Monguno in his remarks said no act of lawlessness will be accepted cautioning elements within Anambra not to do anything that will harm the process. He said no security agents or officers will be exempted from being penalized once it is established that anyone is found flouting the law.
He said: ” This will not be accepted. Law enforcement agencies have been asked to watch out for such elements because what you start, you don’t know how it will end.
There is no need to embark on an exercise of self-delusion, futility, or some form of a tangle. Please, I’m appealing to you will all brothers. Stay within your wards your local government and let us have a peaceful election for the security agencies in Ward , any rogue element that decides to behave in a manner that will tie our collective institutions in a very dark color will be brought to justice in accordance with the rules of those institutions.
He, however, appealed to security agencies to be alive to their duties, saying their efforts in Edo and Ondo is a testament to what is expected noting that they can do better in Anambra State considering the volatile situation.
He charged them further to exhibit the highest level of professionalism as all eyes are on the governorship election. He said his concern is that outcome of the poll will be appreciated by everyone in the state.
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