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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security personnel have be advised to maintain neutrality during the general elections.
This call was made by the Executive Director of Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF), Dr Arome Salifu, at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja.
Salifu also cautioned purveyors of misinformation and disinformation to desist from harming the country’s fragile democracy.
He said: “INEC, political actors, and other stakeholders have a part to play; INEC must be seen as an umpire indeed and must ensure neutrality, credibility, and acceptability of the electoral process and it outcome.
“For the politicians, they ultimately desire to win the elections, they must do so within the ambience of the law.
“The promotion political violence and the spread of disinformation and misinformation, including vote buying, hate speeches, and unguarded statements are capable of undermining the democratic process, public peace, and harmony.
“In few days to the end of the campaign ,politicians and their followers must promote their messages with a very high degree of responsibility toward ensuring that the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process is guaranteed.
“Evidence has shown that a failed election could be detrimental to Nigeria and the West African countries.
“It is on this premise, we are hosting this press conference to draw the attention of critical stakeholders to the need to conduct a credible, peaceful, and conclusive general election.
“The global communities’ attention is on Nigeria as 93.4 million registered voters are expected to vote on Feb. 25 and March 11.
According to him, the 2023 general election would be an opportunity for voters to choose leaders that would steer the country to a positive direction.
He said the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the result viewing portal have implications for promoting transparency and trust in the electoral process.
