A coalition of accredited election observers has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its preparedness ahead of the Anambra governorship election. The coalition, which consists of over 350 observers deployed across the state, expressed satisfaction with the distribution of non-sensitive materials by INEC, describing it as transparent and reflective of the commission’s commitment to a free, fair, and credible election.
The observers, who have been assessing INEC’s preparedness and the readiness of key stakeholders, praised the efforts of security agencies and the state government in restoring security in areas previously under criminal control. They also commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security for deploying over 60,000 security personnel to ensure a peaceful exercise.
The coalition urged political actors to respect the peace accord and maintain issue-based engagement, demonstrating maturity, tolerance, and discipline throughout the process. They also called on security agencies to enforce movement restrictions on election day and intensify clearance operations in identified flashpoints to prevent any security breaches.
Furthermore, the observers cautioned against vote buying, urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take decisive action against perpetrators. “The EFCC and security agencies should fight against vote-buying, which undermines democracy and erodes public confidence in the process,” said Sarki Danjuma, Chairman of the Initiative for Promotion and Civic Obligation for Sustainable Peace.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to credible polls and the principle of ‘one man, one vote’ as enshrined in Section 53(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022. With the election set to take place on Saturday, the observers’ commendation of INEC’s preparedness and the security arrangements in place is a positive sign for the conduct of a peaceful and credible election. The outcome of the election will be closely watched, and the coalition’s observations will play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of the process.