A political analyst, Mr Chris Ukaegbu, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that supplementary elections in states it declared inconclusive are free and fair.
INEC had declared the March 9 Governorship and State Assembly elections inconclusive in seven states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Plateau, Kano, Rivers and Sokoto.
Ukaegbu told nesmen in Nsukka yesterday that all eyes were on INEC to ensure that all political parties involved would be given a level playing ground during the March 23 supplementary polls.
“INEC should ensure that materials for the election arrived early in various polling units so that accreditation and voting will start by 8.am.
“The commission should give all political parties a level playing ground; ensure that card readers that will be used are in perfect condition to avoid any report of card failure.
“All eyes are on INEC and it should do everything within its capacity to ensure that the supplementary elections in the affected states are credible, free and fair, “he said.
He urged INEC in future elections in the country to avoid anything that would lead to declaring any election inconclusive as it did not give the country good image before international community.
“Inconclusive elections does not portray the country in good light as international community see it that democracy has not deepened in Nigeria.
“Inconclusive election also cause anxiety and tension as well as make people to call INEC names in affected places,” he said.
The analyst advised security agencies to resist any attempt by candidates or political parties to use them to commit electoral fraud that would subvert the wishes of the people.
“Security agencies should provide security for everybody irrespective of political party affiliation.
“Security agencies should remember that whatever one does in the course of his duty, there will be a day he or she will stand before God to give account of his or her stewardship,” he said.
Ukaegbu urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to be patriotic by conducting themselves during and after the supplementary elections in orderly manner.
“Do not see Saturday election as a do or die affair, but see it that whatever happens is the will of God, hence is only God that crowns a king.
“Candidates should exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting the outcome of the election in good faith.
“Parents should monitor their children and wards so that nobody will use them as political thugs to cause violence during and after the supplementary elections,” he said.