Anambra poll: Respect election process, CSO urges INEC, parties, security

From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja

As the people of Anambra State gear up for Saturday’s governorship election, a civil society organisation, Bridging Social Inclusion Gaps Initiative (Bisigi Africa), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies and voters to respect and adhere strictly to the electoral process before, during and after the exercise.

The Founder and Executive Director of Bisigi Africa, Tina Chidi, made the appeal on Thursday while assessing the level of preparedness for the crucial poll.

Chidi described the Anambra governorship election as “very crucial and critical” to Nigeria’s democratic journey, stressing that it would serve as a platform and prelude to the 2027 general elections, especially under the leadership of the new INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

According to her, Bisigi Africa has deployed its personnel across all the local government areas of the state to monitor developments and ensure credible reportage.

“Our team is on the ground with eagle eyes, monitoring the activities surrounding the electoral process. We also conducted capacity building for credible reportage before, during and after the election,” she said.

Chidi commended INEC’s level of preparedness, saying that the electoral umpire appears ready for the poll, even as political parties and candidates intensify last-minute efforts to woo voters.

She added that the people of Anambra are politically enlightened and are yearning for a peaceful and credible election, noting that all stakeholders must work together to ensure that the will of the people prevails.

“The electoral process must be respected and strictly adhered to by INEC officials, political parties, candidates, security agencies, voters, the media and observers. This is the only way to guarantee a credible outcome,” she stressed.

Chidi also said that the election would be a litmus test for Prof. Amupitan, who recently took over as INEC chairman, to demonstrate his earlier assurances of transparency, efficiency, and the effective use of technology in transmitting election results.

“Prof. Amupitan has promised Nigerians that issues of late arrival of materials, poor transparency and result transmission challenges will be a thing of the past. We are watching and reminding him of his assurances to conduct a free and fair governorship election that will restore confidence in the electoral process,” she added.