Enugu: INEC Wants Political Parties To Sign Peace Accord

The Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu State, says all political parties in the state will sign peace agreement to avoid violence during and after the elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Commission in the state, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, made this known in Enugu while briefing newsmen on the readiness of the commission to ensure free and credible elections in the state.
Onukaogu, said the agreement would also be signed by politicians in violence-prone areas mapped out by the commission.
He added that, “we will provide level playing ground for all political parties to operate before, during and after the elections.
“We will surely on our part, deliver a violence-free election. In Anambra State, where I conducted the last elections, we had five political parties represented at the state House of Assembly.
“I have not changed and you cannot change me. The one who made me is supreme. When you vote, the votes will be counted and the counted votes will count.’’
He said that the commission had distributed 77 per cent of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) it received from the National Headquarters of the commission.
He expressed optimism that the commission in the state would achieve between 80 per cent and 90 per cent distribution before the March 28 and April 11 elections respectively.
On voter apathy experienced in the state, the commissioner said the commission officials had met with principal stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, professional organisations, trade unions, market women and student unions to tackle the problem.
He added that sensitive materials for elections in the state would be collected and distributed three days before the elections to avoid late arrival of materials to polling centres.
Some journalists who spoke at the conference appealed to INEC to collaborate with the police and other security agencies to protect the lives of citizens.