Rev. Chika Madu, an Nsukka-based activist and clergyman, says the governorship election in Edo on September 19 serves as another litmus test for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Madu said INEC should try to ensure the poll would be free and fair in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka.
He said: “All eyes are on INEC because Edo governorship election is going to be another litmus test for the commission.
“INEC as an electoral umpire should ensure that all the political parties that fielded candidates for the poll were given a level playing field.”
“INEC should ensure that only people with integrity to protect the image of the commission are appointed as local government returning officers.
“The commission should also ensure adequate training for ad-hoc staff, on how to operate card reader machines and also put the machines in good condition.”
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Rev. Madu also encouraged INEC to ensure punctuality that all electoral materials and personnel gets to the polling units early in order to begin accreditation and voting at 8a.m prompt.
“At times what causes problems in polling units is late delivery of electoral materials or incomplete materials, including the lack of result sheets.
“Adequate security should be provided in all polling units to protect electoral materials, INEC personnel and electorate during the poll,” he stated.
Also the Founder of Highway to Grace Assembly Ministry, Nsukka, Rev. Madu further encouraged political parties, candidates and their supporters In Edo not take the governorship election as a do-or-die affair.
“Candidates and their supporters should avoid anything that will cause violence by conducting themselves peacefully.
“Election should not be seen as a do-or-die affair because if one loses today he or she may win tomorrow.
“We should all know that all power belongs to God and He is the one that crowns a king,” he said. (NAN)
