Ahead of the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State, an election advocacy group, Alliances for Credible Election – Nigeria, has advised the electorate to vote for credible candidates and shun ‘stomach infrastructure syndrome’.
The Non-Governmental Organisation gave the advice during a stakeholders’ summit in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, on Monday.
Participants at the summit were drawn from the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, Christian Association of Nigeria, Muslim associations, media, Persons Living with Disabilities, among others.
The acting General Secretary, ACE-Nigeria, Mrs. Nma Odi, advocated a peaceful, non-violent and credible election in Bayelsa.
She said the summit was organised to warn voters that they would be mortgaging their futures and those of their children if they sold their votes.
She explained that the concept of democracy was better expressed in an atmosphere of free, fair and credible election, warning that brigandage, corrupt practices, intimidation and disorderly conduct were against the ideal of democracy.
Odi said, “Democracy depends on the people. The concept of democracy is expressed in free, fair and credible elections. The foundation of every democracy is that election should be free and fair and that the voters exercise their franchise without intimidation.
“Free and fair election cannot tolerate violence of any kind such as violence, corrupt practices, threats, undue influence, intimidation and disorderly conduct.
“There should also be an assurance that free, fair and credible elections shall be held at regular intervals to elect new leaders and that the practice of holding credible election is one of the cornerstones upon which the foundation of democracy is built.”
A resource person, Mr. Anyakwe Insirimobu, urged the candidates of the various political parties in the state to shun hate campaigns.
He mentioned ballot box snatching, hate campaigns, intimidation as some of the causes of electoral violence.
Insirimobu advised the electorate to make wise choices and vote for candidates they believed could deliver on the dividends of democracy.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: editor@punchng.com
SOURCE -: http://ift.tt/1Xgevwh
0 comments:
Post a Comment