The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared its readiness to conduct the September 10, 2016 Governorship election in Edo state.
Professor Mohammad Kuna, special adviser to the Commission’s Chairman, stated this at a stakeholders meeting on public presentation of the security threat assessment for the Governorship election in Edo state, organised by CLEEN foundation in Benin City.
He added that the commission has been well equipped in terms of human and capital resources to carry out the exercise adding that all stakeholders must be up and doing to ensure a violent free polls.
“It is however important that the people must own the process of electoral system. It has been observed that whatever the modalities INEC have put non ground to coin duct a credible poll, the people must ensure that they behave in a civil manner to help democracy grow in the country.” He said
Also Professor Mim Abutudu of the University of Benin, in his presentation stated that rigging and fear of electoral manipulation can be a high risk factor that could raise the level of violence and urged INEC to ensure that materials are deployed on time to the various polling units.
Mr. Benson Olugbuo, executive director, CLEEN foundation explained that the foundation has as one of its cardinal objective to monitor and report the level of security threat to the conduct of elections in Nigeria.
Other stakeholders agreed that the activities of security agencies including officials INEC must be checked to ensure that the process is violence free, credible and fair to all.
