•Edo Residents Urged to Vote and Return Home
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to act as independent arbiters in the Edo governorship election.
“Democracy loses its value when citizens cannot exercise their political choices in a free and fair atmosphere,” Jonathan emphasized.
He also appealed to political stakeholders to prioritize peace and security, ensuring a level playing field and transparent voting process.
“The Edo election scheduled for this weekend places a moral burden on state agencies, especially the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to rise to their constitutional responsibilities as independent arbiters in our democratic process.
“Security agencies must conduct themselves in optimal neutrality and desist from actions that could alter the setting for a level-playing field and compromise the credibility of the electoral process.
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“On its part, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must live up to expectations as an unbiased umpire and inspire confidence in all actors through a transparent voting process.
There is no doubt that loss of confidence in an electoral process encourages political disputes, social unrest, voter apathy, increased polarization, and other far-reaching consequences that could undermine development and democratic consolidation.”He added.
In a related development, the Nigerian Police Force has advised voters to return home after casting their ballots, ensuring a smooth and peaceful election.
“Tomorrow it is important for parents and for everybody to know that if you are not accredited to carry out any of the functions related to the election, you should not be out on the street. Just come, go out there, perform your civic duties, cast your vote and return to your home,” Deputy Inspector General of Police, Frank Mba, said.
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The police have made provisions for the election, including deployments and security measures, and are prepared to deal with vote buyers and other offenders.
“Vote buying is one of the most difficult offences to actually police and manage.The bulk of vote buying and selling that takes place don’t take place in the glare of the public, in the glare of the media, in the glare of the law enforcement agents. Sometimes, they take place in the bedrooms of citizens and we don’t have the capacity to police every bedroom, every kitchen, every toilet and every balcony. But our pledge is that the ones that happen in the glare of the public, the ones our security network are able to detect and intercept, we will deal with them.” He reiterated.
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