Chairperson, Transition Monitoring Group, Abiola Akiyode–Afolabi, has told the Independent National Electoral Commission that it has no reason to fail in the conduct of the Edo State governorship poll slated for Saturday, September 19, 2020 (tomorrow).
The Group said it was time to move forward and move better, noting that INEC should put into practice the assurance given to the electorate and the nation that the election would be free and fair.
Addressing a press conference in Benin on the eve of the election, TMG, in collaboration with the Edo Civil Society Organisation, urged INEC to “up its game and strictly play by the provisions of the Electoral Act while responding appropriately to issues as may occur as the election progresses.”
It said, “INEC owes it a duty to all irrespective of their political affiliations, to be fair, impartial, and nonpartisan in its relations while creating a level playing field for all parties and contestants.
“The success or failure of this election to meet international standard will determine the fate of other elections and the attitude of the electorate to INEC’s credibility to conduct election.”
On security, TMG said, “About two-third of Edo State (13 out 18 local government areas) is on security red alert due to pre-election violent activities of some political gladiators who have seen the election as a do-or-die affair, because for them, politics is not about service to the people but a profitable business.
“So, security personnel, most especially policemen deployed for election activities should never be found wanting in discharging their duties responsibly, professionally without bias. On election day, all are equal, no special preference to position or status.
“TMG is very much aware of the presence of governors from other states in the state to support their candidates on the eve of election. TMG condemns this practice of unnecessary last minute solidarity which is capable of heightening tension in the state and can intimidate security agencies.”
The Group said such solidarity should have been limited to the campaign period, adding that their presence would worsen cases of vote buying and political tension, judging from the nation’s experience in the past elections “where ‘invading governors’ came to states having election with bags of their state funds, their security details and political thugs conducting themselves irresponsibly due to their immunity.”
Going further, TMG asserted that “the developments in the state in recent times suggested heightened tension, increased mutual fears and suspicions as well as inclination for violent confrontation and lawlessness, threatening lives and property of ordinary citizens and undermining the chances of having free, fair, non-violent and credible elections even in the midst of the lingering Covid-19 global pandemic.”
