By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
A Human Rights activist and Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Mr Idris Miliki Abdul, has called on Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) to ensure conduct of free, fair, credible and acceptable Local Government Councils election come Saturday, October 19.
The Commission Chairman, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, on July 16th announced the Commission’s readiness to conduct elections into the 21 Local Government Councils and 229 Councillorship positions in the state on October 19, and released a timetable to that effect.
Miliki who made the call in a statement he personally signed and released to newsmen in Lokoja, urged the Commission to “Let The Votes Count and Be Counted.”
He commended the Commission for sticking to and diligently implementing its timetable so far and called not to deviate but continue on the right for a seamless conduct devoid of malpractices.
The Rights Activist urged the Commission to live up-to the expectation of the people by conducting free, fair and acceptable elections and make the outcome known to the public as soon as the elections are concluded.
He called on the state government to provide all necessary logistic and material supports ranging from electoral materials, vehicles, personnel and security to the Commission, without exception, to enable peaceful conduct of the polls.
Miliki commended the peaceful conduct of political parties electioneering campaigns so far and urged that the peace be sustained as the campaign is getting to a close, in line with the timetable released by SIEC.
“We call on the security agencies to give their maximum supports and to remain non-partisan, maintain neutrality and uphold professionalism before, during and after the Local Government elections.
“We urge the Media to uphold the tenet of professionalism and abide by the guidelines and the Law guiding election results announcement, and avoid sensationalism in their reportage”, he said.
The Human Rights activist called on the citizens, party supporters and eligible voters to come out and participate in the electoral process by casting their votes for the candidates and political parties of their choice.
“We also urge the citizens not to engage in Fake News and misinformation before, during and after the election. We urge all observers that will be observing the elections to maintain the code of conduct on election observation.
“We urge candidates of various political parties to realized that election is a contest with various participants, and at the end of the exercise, a winner will emerged or be declared.
“Those who are not satisfied with the outcome should approach the Election Tribunal as elections is not a do or die affair”, he said. (Ends)