A coalition of accredited election observers has expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Awka, the coalition commended INEC for its transparent and efficient distribution of non-sensitive election materials, noting that the process demonstrated the Commission’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election.
Mr. Augustine Okafor, Coordinator of the Grassroots Development Centre for Peace and Social Justice, who represented the coalition, revealed that over 350 observers had been deployed across the state to monitor the exercise.
According to him, the group had been assessing the readiness of INEC and other stakeholders involved in the election process. He praised the Commission’s performance so far, describing it as “transparent and confidence-boosting.”
Okafor also lauded the efforts of security agencies and the state government in improving security in areas that were previously affected by criminal activities. He particularly commended the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security for deploying more than 60,000 security personnel to ensure a peaceful poll.
He urged political parties and candidates to uphold the peace accord and focus on issue-based campaigns, stressing that “the political environment in Anambra remains largely calm, with no major incidents of thuggery or violence reported during the campaign period.”
In his remarks, Mr. Sarki Danjuma, Chairman of the Initiative for Promotion and Civic Obligation for Sustainable Peace, warned against the menace of vote buying. He called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security agencies to act decisively against anyone involved in such practices.
“The EFCC and other security bodies must take firm steps to curb vote buying, as it weakens democracy and diminishes public trust in the electoral process,” Danjuma stated.
The coalition reaffirmed its dedication to supporting credible elections and upholding the principle of “one man, one vote,” in line with Section 53(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
