INEC, Parties Assure On Free Polls In Edo

The  Independent National Electoral Com m ission (INEC) and the seven political parties participating in the July 14 Governorship Election in Edo State have resolved to ensure that it is free and fair. Gov. Adams Oshiomhole said on Friday,  last after a six-hour deliberation at a consultative forum in Abuja.

Oshiomhole said the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had allayed the fears of the political parties and their candidates about the forth-coming election in the state.

He said the commission noted several allegations, including the arrest of some people for allegedly being in possession of Direct Data Capturing (DDC) machine and illegal purchase of voter cards with the connivance of some INEC officials.

According to Oshiomhole, all the documents and photocopies of those involved in the misconduct have been presented to INEC. He also said that the commission’s attention had been drawn to the illegal sale of electoral materials.

The governor said that INEC had promised to commence prosecution of all offenders on the basis of specific evidence made available.

Oshiomhole said he looked forward to a credible election in the state, urging the people to be optimistic about free and fair governorship election in the state.

Also, the PDP gubernatorial candidate Retired Maj.-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, identified high level of desperation as the election date drew nearer and the attendant challenges, mostly in the area of security.

He said there had been series of meetings with all the security agencies, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan had pledged adequate security.

Airhiavbere expressed optimism that the election would be free and fair as every vote cast would count.

The National Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC),  Chief Tony Momoh noted that INEC,  addressed all the issues that were raised by the political parties and candidates.

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Dan Iwuayanwu commended INEC for holding the forum, expressing hope that the stakeholders would adhere to all the agreements reached.

He stressed the need for all the political parties to cooperate with INEC to consolidate democracy and facilitate the development of the country.

Iwuayanwu said that all the stakeholders had an assurance that INEC was determined to conduct a credible, free and fair governorship election on July 14.

The meeting was attended by the national and state chairmen, secretaries and governorship candidates of the seven participating political parties.