YIAGA AFRICA has called on tye Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Political parties to develop an effective communication constructive dialogue to address challenges and requirements for achieving peaceful pre-election engagements, and credible and peaceful elections on November 16.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the Executive Director, YIAGA AFRICA, Samson Itodo and made available to newsmen in Lokoja.
The Non Governmental Organisation also urged INEC to step up its engagements with security agencies, to tacking violation of electoral codes (buying and selling of PVC and voter inducement) and electoral violence indicators.
“Security agencies, the police should investigate and manage the report of recruitment of thugs and stockpiling of arms, to avoid an outbreak of violence in the coming election.
“Security agencies should investigate and arrest people engaged in buying and selling of PVCs, and any form of voter inducement, to serve as a deterrent to others.
” The agencies should also engage in active engagement and communications with citizens on the principles regulating security deployment and its operations ahead of the election.
On the political parties the NGO said political party candidates and supporters should shy away from any form of physical or verbal attacks to ensure credible and peaceful elections.
They also asked all political parties, especially in Kogi state to increase their activities of engaging voters with their policy plan while soliciting their support and votes.
“Voters should get ready to vote with their PVCs and not sell it for short-time gain.
“Citizens should report any form of electoral malpractice or criminal act to INEC and security agencies, the police, to foster peaceful democratic transition,” the statement added.
