Electoral Observers Pledge to Monitor Anambra’s Local Government Elections
Election observers accredited by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) have pledged to work in collaboration with security agencies to ensure the proliferation of small arms and light weapons is checked before, during, and after the local government elections scheduled to take place on September 28, 2024.
The coordinator of the group, Chris Azor, addressed journalists at a stakeholders’ engagement in Awka, Anambra’s capital city, outlining the strategies his team plans to implement. These measures include pre-election environment monitoring, paying attention to potential hotspots and areas prone to violence, as well as voter education and awareness campaigns.
“We will be mobilizing over 100 observers across the state to ensure that voting centers are secure and free from arms, incident reporting, and documentation,” Azor stated. “Our team will also set up a Situation Room Coordination Centre in Awka to facilitate real-time collaboration and timely reporting of activities during the election.”
The election observers appealed to political parties and candidates to commit to peaceful conduct, stakeholder engagement, and non-violence during the elections. They also urged security agencies to maintain neutrality, fairness, and impartiality while preserving human rights and the rule of law.
According to the group, the proliferation of small arms has contributed significantly to electoral violence, banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping, and efforts must be made to curb this trend. “It is imperative that we have a peaceful transition after the election,” Azor said.
The observers commended ANSIEC for demonstrating full preparedness and commitment to the integrity of the election process. “We urge eligible voters to exercise their franchise peacefully, without any hindrance or constraint,” they stated.
By working together with security agencies and patriotic citizens, the election observers aim to create an environment that is free from violence and conducive to the holding of credible, peaceful, and successful elections.
